Cheese and Chorizo Puffs

These little Brazilian breads are an absolute delight and so easy to make.

The batter also keeps for a couple of days on the fridge so you can make them fresh as you need them.

Makes 60-70 mini muffin sized puffs.

Ingredients

100g chorizo

170g cheddar, finely grated

350g tapioca flour

350mls milk

150mls oil

2 eggs

Method

Cook the chorizo over a high heat until crispy, use a slotted spoon to remove from the pan and place on some kitchen paper to remove excess fat. Allow to cool completely.

Grease 3 x 24 mini muffin tins if you are using all of the batter.

Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Centigrade.

Once the chorizo is cool, place in a food processor and pulse until it creates a chorizo crumb.

Now add all of the other ingredients and whizz to form a batter.

Pour the batter into the prepared tins, no more than two thirds full.

Place the trays in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes.

Black Bean and Chorizo Soup

The  entire family loves this soup, smoky with a little chilli it reminds me of a bean chilli and with that in mind I serve it with a little grated cheese and a dollop of sour cream with corn chips on the side, possibly why the boys like it so much!

I use the stock from the Lime, Oregano and Smoky Chipotle Chilli Roast Chicken recipe in my blog, this stock instantly gives a hint of chilli to the soup.

If you are using regular stock add 2 teaspoons chipotle chilli powder and 1 tablespoon smoked sweet paprika at the same time as adding the ancho chilli.

To make this vegetarian, omit the chorizo, use vegetable stock, 2 teaspoons chipotle chilli and 5 teaspoons smoked paprika.

Serves 8-10 so, I freeze the leftovers for another day.

Ingredients

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 large onion, finely diced

3 cloves garlic, chopped finely

100g chorizo, skinned and chopped finely

1 large dried ancho chilli

1 x 800g tin, chopped tomatoes

1.5l chicken stock

2 x 425g tins black beans

1 x 400g kidney beans

3 tablespoons tomato paste

Method

Bring the kettle to the boil.

Pop the chilli into a heat proof bowl and pour the freshly boiled water over.

Allow to stand for 30 minutes.

Remove the chilli, I take the skin off and deseed at this point and chop it finely. Set aside.

In a large pan, heat the oil over a medium heat, add the onion and garlic and cook until softened.

Add the chorizo and cook for a further 5 minutes until it has released its fat.

Pour in the tomatoes, ancho chilli, beans, tomato paste and stock, bring to the boil.

Allow to simmer for 30 minutes.

Serve with grated cheese, sour cream and avocado slices with tortilla chips on the side