Farofa: Toasted Cassava Flour

Farofa is a quintessentially Brazilian side dish made by toasting cassava flour (farinha de mandioca) in butter or oil, often with additions like onion, garlic, bacon, or scrambled egg. The result is a golden, crumbly, nutty-tasting topping that adds wonderful crunch and texture to meats, beans and rice - especially at Brazilian barbecues and Sunday roasts. The key is patient toasting: stir constantly over medium heat until the flour turns a deep gold and smells nutty. Watch the texture, though - if your farofa is too coarse or insufficiently fatty, it can come out gritty rather than pleasantly buttery and crunchy.