In 1994 I was diagnosed with celiac disease, which led me to create Celiac.com in 1995. I created this site for a single purpose: To help as many people as possible with celiac disease get diagnosed and living happy, healthy gluten-free lives. Celiac.com was the first site on the Internet dedicated solely to celiac disease, and since then it has become an invaluable resource to people worldwide who seek information about celiac disease and the gluten-free diet. In 1998 I created The Gluten-Free Mall, Your Special Diet Superstore! which was also another Internet first—it was the first gluten-free food site to offer a shopping cart-style interface, and the ability for people to order gluten-free products manufactured by many different companies at a single Web site.
The state of Minas Gerais is known throughout Brazil for its cuisine, and there are places in other parts of Brazil where one can buy pã de queijo and other mineiro specialties. Any mineiro cook can make pao de queijo, and there are endless recipes and methods for it. Minas Gerais is also known for its cheeses; the Wisconsin of Brazil, if you wish.
Makes 2 dozen appetizer-sized balls.
Preheat oven to 375°. Boil the following until white foam appears (on stove or in microwave):
½ cup
vegetable oil
1/3 cup water
1/3 cup milk
(1 tsp salt optional)
Add this hot mixture to 2 cups tapioca starch. Mix well with
wooden spoon
and let rest for about 15 minutes. You will get white ball.
Mix in 2 eggs
and about 6 ounces grated hard cheese (e.g., parmesan). You
will get a
gooey, sticky mass.
To form
balls, cover hands with grease, use a teaspoon and quickly roll
into ball shape as best you can (they will smooth out during
baking).
Better yet, use a miniature ice-cream scoop. Each ball should
be about 1-
½ inch in diameter. Bake on lightly greased sheet or on parchment
paper.
Bake for 15-20 minutes, depending on size, until tops begin to brown.