**Picanha**, a prized cut of beef from the top sirloin cap, is a staple of Brazilian steakhouses, also known as churrascarias. It's renowned for its juicy and flavorful meat, succulent fat cap, and distinctive triangular shape. This versatile cut can be prepared using various cooking methods, resulting in tender and delicious dishes.
In this article, we'll guide you through three tantalizing recipes that showcase the versatility of picanha. First, we'll introduce you to the classic Churrascaria-Style Picanha, grilled to perfection with a smoky, charred exterior and juicy interior. Next, we'll explore a flavorful Picanha Marinade, packed with aromatic herbs and spices, that infuses the meat with incredible depth of flavor. Finally, we'll share a Picanha Steak Sandwich recipe, a delightful combination of tender picanha, melted cheese, and crispy bread, perfect for satisfying your cravings. Whether you're a seasoned grill master or a home cook looking to impress your friends and family, these recipes will surely elevate your culinary skills and leave you craving more.
PICANHA RECIPE | BRAZILIAN CULOTTE STEAKS
Coulotte Steak, aka Picanha is the almighty queen of the Brazilian churrasco! This juicy and tender grilled Picanha recipe will leave your amigos speechless!
Provided by Aline Shaw
Categories Main Course
Time 25m
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Preheat the grill to 350F.
- In a small bowl, mix the sofrito, the mustard, the dry parsley and a drizzle of olive oil. Set aside.
- Cut the meat the same direction as the fibers into 4 steaks.
- Season the steaks with salt and the lemon pepper, then rub the sofrito mixture on the steaks.
- Add the steaks to the grill, and grill them on all sides to your favorite doneness.
- Remove the steaks from the grill, and let them rest for 5 mins before slicing them.
- While the steaks are resting make the farofa.
- On a stove top melt the butter in a medium skillet over medium heat.
- Add the onions to the pan and sauté until the onions are transparent, about 2 minutes.
- Add the eggs to the pan, and scramble them gently.
- When the eggs are cooked, but still soft, add the cassava and stir.
- Remove the pan from the heat, add the cilantro and stir to combine.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Slice the steaks across the fibers, and serve with the farofa.
BRAZILIAN PICANHA
Picanha is made from the tri-tip (also known as rump-cap or rump cover) and is considered the best cut of beef available in many South American countries.You can find tri-tip at many butchers or you can pre-order a custom cut. If you go to a Brazilian churrascaria (or steak house) like Boi na Braza, Fogo de Chao, or Texas de Brazil, you will find picanha in abundance. This recipe is from http://honestcooking.com/2012/01/20/picanha-101-brazilian-barbecue-meat/
Provided by McGelby
Categories < 30 Mins
Time 25m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Pound with a meat mallet salt in a fabric bag; the largest pieces should be like rice.
- If desired combine salt, garlic, and olive oil.
- Score the fatty blanket on the picanha by making criss-crossing cuts into the fatty blanket covering one side of the picanha.
- When preparing a picanha for the skewer cut against the grain. The picanha is a big piece of meat and should be cut again at home before it is grilled. If you'd like to serve it on a big skewer like they do in churrascaria restaurants, cut the picanha in 3 pieces on a angle perpendicular to the fibers running diagonally through the picanha. Then bend these pieces into semicircles, fat-side out, and place them on one large oiled skewer. This allows you to slice off delicatley tender pieces wothout having to remove the picanha from the skewer. You can then rub the exposed surface with more rock salt and grill it some more. Every slice will have that outer, salty, crusty grilled deliciousness of the first slice. This is how they do it in churrascaria restaurants.
- OR When preparing a picanha in steaks cut with the grain. If you don't have the large skewer, you need not fret. You can grill a picanha home-style in thick steaks. This way is not as flashy, but I think the results are superior. When dividing the whole picanha into steaks, cut the meat in the same directions as the fibers. When you slice the grilled steaks to serve you will be slicing across the fibers creating deliciously juicy morsels each with their own little fatty edge.I have on more than one occasion cut the picanha the wrong way and it was still delicious. Like I said, picanhas are really hard to mess up.
- Roll the pieces of picanha in rock salt.
- Grill the steaks fat-side up for a few minutes until a little juice leaks out of the top of the steaks. If you are grilling on the big skewer, both sides are the same, there is no fat-side. Turn the steaks onto their sides to grill for a few more minutes. Finally grill fat-side down moving the steaks away from the hottest part of the fire to avoid over-cooking and to reduce the chance of the fire flaring up from the dripping fat. Grill to your desired doneness. I use the finger poke to know if the meat is done. Try not to puncture the meat when grilling.
- Remove the finished meats and tap them with the side of a knife to knock off any extra rocks of salt. Let the meat rest a few minutes before slicing.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 124.9, Fat 13.5, SaturatedFat 1.9, Sodium 21220.9, Carbohydrate 1.2, Fiber 0.1, Protein 0.2
Tips:
- Use a good quality picanha steak. Look for one that is well-marbled and has a nice layer of fat.
- Score the fat cap of the steak to help it render and prevent it from curling up.
- Season the steak liberally with salt and pepper. You can also add other spices, such as garlic powder, onion powder, or paprika.
- Cook the steak over high heat until it reaches your desired doneness. For a medium-rare steak, cook it for about 6-8 minutes per side.
- Let the steak rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
Conclusion:
Churrascaria-style picanha is a delicious and impressive dish that is perfect for a special occasion. With its juicy, flavorful meat and crispy fat cap, it is sure to be a hit with your guests. So next time you are looking for a special meal, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed.
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