Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Uganda Monitor
Published on 2024-03-16 14:54:28
Coxinha, which translates to “little drumstick” in Portuguese, is a popular street food known for its crunchy dough stuffed with shredded chicken and Catupiry cheese, then deep-fried to perfection. The combination of a crispy crust and a moist, flavorful filling makes Coxinha a beloved snack with a touch of elegance.
Growing up in New York in the early 1960s, Chef Hawkins, my mentor, instilled in me the belief that a true fritter should have a delicately flavored batter that is rich in eggs and fried in hot oil. While not traditionally referred to as fritters, crullers and doughnuts share similarities with their fried batter composition, with crullers being more fat-rich and doughnuts having a heavier flour content.
It is important not to confuse fritters with other pan-fried mixtures like corn fritters. Fritters can also refer to small morsels of meat, fish, vegetables, or fruit dipped in batter and deep-fried, where the batter acts as a protective coating. Other examples of fritter-like foods include deep-fried vegetables and croquettes.
To make Coxinha, you will need ingredients like vegetable oil, shallots, garlic, jalapenos, shredded chicken, mayonnaise, chives, chicken stock, wheat flour, egg whites, and Catupiry cheese. The process involves sautéing the shallots, mixing the chicken with the shallot mixture and other ingredients to create the filling, preparing the dough, assembling and shaping the fritters, and deep frying them until golden brown.
The dough is rolled out and formed into rounds, then filled with the chicken mixture and shaped into the iconic drumstick form. The fritters are coated in flour, egg whites, and breadcrumbs before being fried in hot oil until crispy and golden. The finished Coxinha should be drained on paper towels to remove excess oil and can be kept warm in the oven until ready to serve.
With its delicious combination of textures and flavors, Coxinha is a delightful treat that is perfect for snacking or as a party appetizer. The process of making Coxinha may seem intricate, but the end result is well worth the effort. Try making your own Coxinha at home and enjoy this popular Brazilian street food with a twist.
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