📖 Instructions

1. First things first, gather your ingredients. Make sure everything is prepped and ready to go before you begin. This avoids any frantic chopping mid-cook!
2. Rinse the black beans thoroughly under cold water. Then, in your Dutch oven, combine the beans with about 8 cups of water. Bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for at least an hour, or until the beans are tender but not mushy. If you're using canned beans, you can skip this step!
3. While the beans simmer, you can chop the vegetables! Dice the onion, bell peppers, and garlic. The smaller the pieces, the faster they'll cook. Remember safety first; be mindful when using knives.
4. Heat up 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet. Sauté the onion until soft, then toss in the garlic and bell peppers and keep cooking for another 5 minutes or until softened. Don’t let the garlic burn – it tastes bitter when burnt.
5. Now for the star of the show – the sausage! Add your smoked sausage and chorizo, browning them over medium heat for around 5 minutes. Break the sausage into small chunks for better flavour distribution and even cooking.
6. Add the sautéed vegetables and the smoked sausage mixture to the pot with the simmering black beans. Stir it well to combine everything. Add some spices here; don’t be shy with the chili powder!
7. Next, add the bay leaf, thyme, orange slices and your secret ingredient, a splash of your favorite dark beer! Stir well, and let it all simmer together for another 30-45 minutes. The longer it simmers, the more flavourful it will become.
8. After 30-45 minutes, taste the feijoada and adjust the seasoning. Add more salt, pepper, or chili powder as needed to suit your palate. You can also add some lime juice at this stage for extra zing!
9. Once you’re happy with the flavor, use the back of a spoon to gently mash some of the beans. This will help thicken the stew and create a richer texture. Don’t mash it all though; keep some of those beans nice and whole.
10. Serve your feijoada hot, garnished with a sprig of fresh parsley, slices of orange, and a drizzle of olive oil. Serve with white rice on the side. It's a feast!
11. Enjoy your spicy, flavorful feijoada! Let me know how you liked it in the comments below. Don't forget to share your photos too! And a little tip – try adding some collard greens for extra nutrients and flavour.