Feijoada

Another one of those dishes which I don't know how it's "supposed" to be, not having ever tasted an authentic version (or in fact any version), feijoada is a classic Brazilian dish that has a number of variations depending on who you're asking.

The very basics are black beans and some sort of meat. The version I made was a stripped down version using black beans, green peppers, onions, tomatoes, and ham hocks for flavor. Hot sauce is a wonderful addition to the cooked dish. Feijoada can be made either thick and stewlike by taking some of the cooked beans and pureeing them, then mixing them with the cooked whole beans--or soupy, which is what I did. Partly out of laziness, partly intentional. Prepared this way, they cried out to be eaten with rice. Since my mission in life is often to be able to eat as many carbs as I can justify to myself, the soupiness served me very well. My version of feijoada? A dressed up version of beans and rice. I wouldn't have it any other way.