Dadinho de TapiocaTapioca Dice
A modern gastronomy invention that serves as a highly viral restaurant recreation recipe.
Created by modern Brazilian chefs, dadinhos de tapioca consist of granulated tapioca starch and grated Queijo Coalho scalded with hot milk. The mixture sets into a firm gel matrix that is chilled, cut into cubes, and deep-fried to create a crisp shell with a soft, chewy center.
Ingredients
- 250 g Granulated Tapioca Starch (Tapioca Granulada) — Hydrocolloid Starch Base
- 300 g Queijo Coalho (Finely Grated) — Protein Matrix & Flavor
- 500 ml Whole Milk — Scalding Liquid Phase
- 6 g Fine Sea Salt — Flavor Enhancer
- 2 g White Pepper — Seasoning
Method
- Bring the milkBring the milk, salt, and white pepper to a boil (100°C)
- In a bowlIn a bowl, combine coarse granulated tapioca starch and finely grated Queijo Coalho
- Pour the boilingPour the boiling milk over the tapioca mixture all at once, stirring continuously with a whisk or spatula
- As the starchAs the starch hydrates and the cheese melts, the mixture thickens into a dense gel paste
- Pour into aPour into a pan lined with plastic wrap, smoothing it to a flat 2cm thickness
- Chill for atChill for at least 2 hours until firm
- Cut into uniformCut into uniform 2×2cm cubes, then deep-fry in hot oil at 180°C for 3 to 4 minutes until light golden and crisp
- Serve with sweetServe with sweet pepper jam
Questions
How long does Dadinho de Tapioca take?
About 2 hours of prep and 5 minutes of cooking — 2 hours 5 minutes total, yielding 40 cubes.
Why chill the tapioca squares before frying?
The scalded tapioca-cheese mass must set firm so it can be cut and fried to a crisp shell with a molten, elastic center — the 'dice' that give the dish its name.
What do you serve with dadinho?
A tart molho (hot honey or tamarind-style sauce) for drizzling — the sweet-sour cut against the fried cheese-starch richness is the restaurant trick.