Broa

Name: Broa
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 65 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Portuguese
Ingredients: 2 cups yellow cornmeal; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 1/2 tsp salt; 2 tsp granulated sugar; 2 cups boiling water; 4 tbsp olive oil; 1 tsp instant yeast; 1/2 cup warm water (110°F)

A rustic Portuguese cornbread with a golden, sturdy crust and hearty corn crumb. Dense and satisfying, it's traditionally sliced thick and served with soups or stews.

65 minEasyServes 8180 cal/serving

PortugueseSideOvenStandard

Ingredients

2 cups yellow cornmeal
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp granulated sugar
2 cups boiling water
4 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp instant yeast
1/2 cup warm water (110°F)

Instructions

1

In a large bowl, combine 2 cups yellow cornmeal, 1/2 tsp salt, and 2 tsp granulated sugar.
2

Pour the 2 cups boiling water over the cornmeal mixture and stir well. Let cool for 5-10 minutes until warm to touch.
3

In a small bowl, dissolve the 1 tsp instant yeast in 1/2 cup warm water (110°F) and let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
4

Stir the yeast mixture and 4 tbsp olive oil into the cornmeal mixture. Mix until combined.
5

Add the 1 cup all-purpose flour and mix until a thick dough forms. The dough should be slightly sticky.
6

Grease a round Dutch oven or a 9-inch cake pan with oil. Transfer the dough to the pan, smoothing the top.
7

Cover with a damp cloth and let rise at room temperature for 45 minutes to 1 hour until slightly puffy.
8

Preheat your oven to 425°F.
9

Using a sharp knife, score the top of the dough with an X pattern.
10

Place the Dutch oven (or covered pan) in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes covered. Remove the cover and bake for another 15-20 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
11

Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes before slicing.

Questions

Can I make Broa gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in this entry is 1 cup all-purpose flour. Swap the flour for a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking blend (where it only thickens a sauce, half as much cornstarch also works). Everything else proceeds as written.

How long does Broa keep?

Refrigerate leftovers within two hours and eat them within three days. Reheat covered in a 300 F oven until warmed through.

Can I halve or double Broa?

Yes. As written it serves 8. Every ingredient in this entry carries precomputed half and double quantities, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. Doubled, split it across two pans and rotate them halfway; one crowded pan bakes unevenly.

Serve it with

Arroz de Marisco main
Caldo Verde Style Chourico and Potato Skillet main
Linguine with Clam Sauce main

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