Farofa (Toasted Garri) with Dambun Nama

Garri, good for more than drinking and making into ‘Eba’.

Garri, excellent for crusting and crumbing.

And for toasting too.

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If you go to any self-respecting churrasco house with the stars and stripes of Brasilia, expect to be served farofa.

Churrasco (Portuguese: [ʃuˈʁasku], Spanish: [tʃuˈrasko]) is a Portuguese and Spanish term referring to beef or grilled meat more generally, differing across Latin America and Europe, but a prominent feature in the cuisine of Uruguay, Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Nicaragua and other Latin American countries; Wikipedia

This dish of pan fried garri, manioc, cassava is the equivalent of Morocco’s couscous.

Fried in butter, studded with vegetables and seasoned with spices, it is all shades of yum.

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Yes people, garri can be, is more than eba.

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I grew up sprinkling dry garri on everything from beans to avocados so I get this being not only a glorious accompaniment to meats but to Feijoada, Brazil’s famed black bean stew.

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Feijoada (European Portuguese: [fɐjʒuˈaðɐ], Brazilian Portuguese: [fejʒuˈadɐ]) is a stew of beans with beef and pork,[1]which is a typical Portuguese dish. Feijoada is also typically cooked in former Portuguese colonies such as Brazil, Macau, Angola, Mozambique and Goa (India). However, the recipe can differ slightly from one country to another.[2]

The name comes from feijão, Portuguese for “beans”; Wikipedia

Yes, Farofa makes a great side, it apparently also works as ‘stuffing’ for chicken. Oh Lawd. 

I’ve opted for a version with dambun nama, shredded beef and cousin to dambun kazaa. I anticipated it would be a bit dry even though I planned to incorporate vegetables in it, so I served it on a bed of sauteed greens.

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We loved it let me say right off the bat. My children, all of them tried a bit and then demanded more. 

Farofa is a toasted cassava flour mixture,[1] though variants are made with maize flour (farinha de milho), and flavors can vary. It is eaten in South America. It can be found commercially produced and packaged but is often prepared at home based on family recipes. Most recipes will also contain varying amounts of salt, smoked meat, and spices. The consistency of the mixture ranges from large grains the size of cracked bulgur wheat or couscous down to a table-salt-sized powder. Most farofas have a very smoky and slightly salty taste, by and large used to accentuate the taste of meat, particularly barbecued meat and hearty stews; Wikipedia

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It was such a delight, not to mention fascinating exploration with an ingredient I am and have always been familiar with but to experience it in new ways is pure joy.

You could totally go vegan with this. I would opt for avocados in the mix once toasted – I love garri and avocados. I have made them into truffles and enjoyed an avocado boat :).

I think it would be nice with ground peanuts to finish – garri and groundnuts are another classic combination when ‘soaking’ garri in water, often with sugar to enjoy as cereal/ a snack. Peeled, roasted groundnuts elevate this to a whole other level.

There is so much more you could do with this

  • Use palm oil as the flavouring
  • Serve alongside beans and plantains
  • Add nuts, seeds and dried fruit
  • Flavour with different herbs – scent leaves, cilantro
  • Enjoy with fish – fresh or dried, suya – particularly the tasty fatty bits, Tozo…

Yes, the possibilities are as good as you can think them up.

Here is one, only one realisation. And it was pretty damn good too. 

Farofa with Dambun Nama
A delicious side dish of toasted garri with dambun nama, vegetables
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275 calories
16 g
61 g
23 g
3 g
15 g
274 g
16 g
9 g
1 g
7 g
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size
274g
Amount Per Serving
Calories 275
Calories from Fat 206
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 23g
36%
Saturated Fat 15g
73%
Trans Fat 1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 6g
Cholesterol 61mg
20%
Sodium 16mg
1%
Total Carbohydrates 16g
5%
Dietary Fiber 3g
14%
Sugars 9g
Protein 3g
Vitamin A
51%
Vitamin C
308%
Calcium
4%
Iron
7%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Ingredients
  1. 1 cup garri - I used ijebu garri (which is finely milled)
  2. 2 tablespoons (unsalted) butter
  3. 1/2 onion, thinly sliced
  4. 1 tomato, chopped
  5. 1 - 2 green chilies, chopped
  6. 3 tablespoons dambun nama
Instructions
  1. In frying pan, melt the butter over medium heat
  2. Add the tomatoes, onions and chili. Sauté for a minute or two
  3. Add dambun nama and let cook for another minute
  4. Finish by adding the garri. Stir so the grains are coated in the pan juices and continue so they toast, about a minute or two
  5. Take off the heat and put in a serving bowl
  6. You can serve this at any temperature - warm, cold or room, with meats, greens, bean and/or rice
Notes
  1. Serve with sauteed greens. I think sauteed waterleaf or spinach would work a treat because of how soft and juicy they are.
  2. Bacon, one of the many ingredients common in farofa would be amuhzing. I know. Will try. Soon.
beta
calories
275
fat
23g
protein
3g
carbs
16g
more
Kitchen Butterfly https://www.kitchenbutterfly.com/
Garri 2.0

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A sprinkling of yaji

 

All shades of awesome. I topped with yaji and scent leaf sauce. The awesomeness is awesoooooome.

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How do you like your garri? Toasted, pan-fried, soaked :)?

2 Comments

  1. This is awesome! Who knew garri could be so versatile. I’m going to try this out. Thanks for all the lovely inspirations and the agbalumo recipes too.

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