Delightful Lanchão: A Unique Savory Dish

Lanchão translates to launch in English, and this delightful dish is sure to launch your taste buds into a delicious adventure. Perfect for family gatherings or casual weeknight dinners, Lanchão blends hearty ingredients into a savory treat that’s simple to prepare yet impressively delicious. Below, you’ll find everything you need to create this culinary masterpiece, including ingredient conversions, step-by-step instructions, and cooking tips to ensure a perfect preparation every time.

Ingredients

For the Dough:

1 large egg
150 ml milk (room temperature)
2 medium cooked potatoes (approximately 300 g, mashed)
1 tbsp margarine or butter (15 g)
1 tsp salt
120 g grated cheese
200 g heavy cream
240 g all-purpose flour
1 tbsp baking powder (15 g)

For the Filling and Topping:

120 ml tomato sauce
150 g canned hearts of palm (chopped)
180 g mozzarella cheese (grated)
100 g calabrese sausage (sliced)
1 medium tomato (sliced)
2 tbsp green onions (chopped)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

Preheat your oven to 170°C (340°F).
Grease a 28 cm x 20 cm (11" x 8") baking dish with oil and dust it with flour to prevent sticking.
In a pot, boil the potatoes until they are very tender, then mash them completely until smooth.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the egg and milk until well combined.
Add the mashed potatoes, margarine or butter, salt, grated cheese, and heavy cream into the egg mixture. Mix thoroughly until smooth.
Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the mixture, stirring continuously until a thick batter forms.
Just before transferring to the oven, fold in the baking powder thoroughly.

Step 2: Assemble the Lanchão

Pour most of the prepared dough into the greased baking dish, setting aside approximately 1/4 cup for topping.
Spread the dough evenly across the bottom of the dish.
Evenly spread the tomato sauce over the dough layer.
Sprinkle the chopped hearts of palm over the tomato sauce evenly.
Layer most of the mozzarella cheese on top, setting aside a bit for the final topping.
Using a spoon, drop dollops of the reserved dough over the filling.
Alternately arrange the calabrese sausage slices and tomato slices on top of the dough.
Finish by sprinkling the remaining mozzarella cheese and chopped green onions over the top.

Step 3: Bake the Lanchão

Bake the assembled Lanchão in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes.
In the final 5 minutes of baking, switch on the broiler briefly to achieve a golden top.
To check for doneness, insert a knife into the center; it should come out clean.
Allow the dish to cool for about 10 minutes before cutting it into squares for serving.

Nutritional Information and Cooking Times

Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 6-8 servings

Approximate Nutritional Information per serving (based on 8 servings):

Calories: 300
Protein: 12 g
Fat: 16 g
Carbohydrates: 30 g
Fiber: 2 g

Cooking Tips and Tricks

Use Room Temperature Ingredients: For a smooth and uniform batter, ensure all your ingredients, especially milk and eggs, are at room temperature before mixing.
Perfect Potato Consistency: Boil your potatoes until they are very tender to achieve a smooth mash. Lumpy potatoes can lead to a dense dough texture.
Customize Cheese Layer: For a more intense flavor, try mixing in different types of cheese, such as cheddar or parmesan, into the batter in addition to the mozzarella topping.

Possible Variations

Vegetarian Option: Skip the calabrese sausage and add more vegetables such as bell peppers, spinach, or mushrooms for a delightful meat-free version.
Spicy Kick: Add sliced jalapeños or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes to the filling for those who enjoy a little heat in their dishes.

Embrace the deliciousness of Lanchão, and enjoy this unique savory treat that combines simplicity with rich flavors, perfect for various occasions. Happy cooking!