I have developed a love for Pão de queijo over the years 
and have now finally perfected the art of making it. It is one of my favourite things about going to Brazil, of which there are many of course, but this delicious cheese bread, made from tapioca starch is the stringiest delight imaginable. Not only that, it is gluten-free. Got to be good for you!!!
I have lived in Brazil, in the south, Santa Catarina. When my husband and I got married, we journeyed across the US from LA to New York by Greyhound and then went to Brazil for 2 weeks on our way to London. Of course that two weeks turned into 6 months and a life time love of Brazil. I have been back many times, not least frequently to Rio for carnival in 2018. I went with my Samba group and we paraded in the Carnival with União da Ilha do Governador, an amazing experience that I would highly recommend, although Rio, 
during carnival, is crazy!!! 
Party, party, party!!! However, I do love Rio, despite its problems and its poverty, its wealth oriented society surrounded by favelas on the hills. We can only hope that in time, the situation settles and a solution is found to the violence, the crime and the poverty that drives it. I would recommend going to Rio though, but be careful. (that’s not me in this picture to the right btw!!!) We were cupcakes…Haha!
What fun!!
Now onto my recipe, do try, but follow the recipe closely, so it works!! You will love it.
This recipe makes about two trays of cheese breads.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups milk
- 150g butter
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 4 cups tapioca starch
- 3 eggs
- 2 cups grated cheese (parmesan or tasty cheddar)
- 2 tsp salt
Heat the milk, butter and oil in a pot until simmering. Then add the tapioca starch. 
It is a very fine powder like cornflour so can get everywhere!!! Mix. It may seem a bit lumpy 
but that’s ok.
Add the other ingredients and mix. The dough should be quite spongy, but stay firm when placed in a ball. If it is too soft add some more tapioca starch until it keeps its shape when placed into a ball.
Roll out the dough into smallish balls onto a greased oven tray and bake at 180˚ for 20minutes until golden brown.
Warm deliciousness!! 🙂
EAT warm and share with friends, they will want the recipe or like me, they will ask you to bake it for them when they are coming over!
