Angolan Corn & Rice Bread with Coconut Oil.

Another one for the Baking World Tour. Angola, situated on the West Coast of Southern Africa is the second largest Portuguese speaking country in the World. The Portuguese influence is represented in the cuisine which is a mix of Portuguese and Southern African.

Hence my choice of corn & rice bread served alongside a feijoada. The cornbread is characteristically African because corn is one of the main crops. While the rice provides and interesting texture the real star is the coconut oil. It gives it such a fragrance and sweetness.

Feijoada is a Portuguese meat and bean stew which is quite different in other countries. This is a very quick feijoada compared to others. And that is what makes this meal ideal for an easy lunch or dinner.

Cornbread is one of the easiest breads to make.

The feijoada is enough for 3 – 4 people as it is quite rich and together with the bread makes for a substantial meal.

Watch the video down below for detailed instructions.

Ingredients

For the bread –

125g (4.4oz) white flour

125g (4.4oz) fine cornmeal

9g (0.3oz) baking powder

6g (0.2oz) salt

100g (3.5oz) cooked rice

150g (5.3oz) warm milk, around 30C (86F).

2 medium sized eggs, around 100g (3.5oz) in total.

30g (1oz) coconut oil

20g (0.7oz) coconut oil to grease the pan

For the feijoada –

200g (7oz) tinned beans. I used cannellini beans, but you can use any beans you like.

250g (8.8oz) diced chicken thighs

250g (8.8oz) diced chorizo

6 cloves garlic, chopped

400g (14.1oz) chopped tomatoes. 1 small tin.

1 onion, chopped

1 carrot, halved and sliced

Pinch of chili flakes or some fresh chili

4 bay leaves

30g (1oz) palm oi. You can use any oil. I used palm oil because it is commonly used in Angola and it gives the feijoada a bright red colour. Although the chorizo and tomatoes do that too.

Chopped parsley to serve

Method

1. Before you do anything else start preheating your oven and the loaf tin to 180C (355F) fan on.
2. Whilst the oven is preheating make the feijoada. In a pan on high heat add the oil and the chorizo. Cook for around 5 minutes until coloured nicely. Add the onion and garlic. Cook for another 5 minutes until the onion and garlic become translucent. Add the rest of the ingredients. Bring up to a simmer, turn the heat down low and cook for 45 minutes.
3. Make the cornbread. Mix the wet and dry ingredients separately. You must use warm milk to melt the coconut oil. Now add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and whisk together.
4. Take the hot tin out of the oven and melt the 20g coconut oil in it. The heat in the pan and the oil will prevent the bread from sticking and it will give it a nice golden-brown crust and extra flavour.
5. Pour in the batter. Spread it out evenly. The next step is optional, but it is a great trick for making the bread open the way you want it to. Place a little bit of coconut oil in a piping bag and draw a line of it across the loaf. This will make the crack appear on that line. If you do not do this, then the bread will crack open in a random place. Which is ok, but this way you are in control. The same trick can be use when making a loaf cake. Instead of coconut oil you would use melted butter.
6. Bake the loaf for around 30 – 35 minutes or until the internal temperature reads above 94C (200F). Once ready let it set in the tin for 15 minutes before removing.

Enjoy!

One of the most basic breads of all.

Cornbread is a classic and the beauty of it is the simplicity. The customizability is endless as you can add any number of ingredients to flavour and enhance this dough. This recipe is for a 23cm (9in) pan. You can also use a deep tray or make individual cornbread muffins in a muffin tin.

Make sure to preheat your oven well before you start making the dough. The baking powder and baking soda will start reacting as soon as you add the milk. You want to work quickly with a dough like this. It is similar to soda bread. As soon as it is mixed it should be baked right away to get the best rise and thus the best texture. 

A cast iron skillet is the best tool for this bake, but you can certainly bake this dough on a regular tray.

Watch the video down below for detailed instructions.

Ingredients

225g (8oz) flour

150g (5.3oz) cornmeal

40g (1.4oz) sugar

6g (0.2oz) baking powder

3g (0.1oz) baking soda

60g (2.1oz) parmesan

8g (0.3oz) salt

80g (2.8oz) chopped spring onions (scallions)

60g (2.1oz) melted butter

255g (8oz) milk

2 whole eggs

20g oil for greasing the pan

Method

1. Grease the pan with the oil & place in your oven to preheat at 190C (375F) no fan, for at least 40 minutes.
2. In one bowl combine the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, parmesan, salt, and spring onions. Mix well to disperse all the ingredients evenly.
3. In another bowl whisk together the milk, eggs, and melted butter.
4. Combine the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients and mix them well.
5. Take the hot pan out of the oven and spread the dough on it in an even layer.
6. Place in the oven and bake for 35 minutes or until the internal temperature reads above 94C (200F).
7. Let it set in the pan for 10 minutes before removing.