Brazilian recipe
Creamy Traditional Vatapá (Vatapá cremoso tradicional brasileiro)
A delicious traditional vatapá recipe featuring dried shrimp, fish, dende oil, and nuts. Enjoy an unmistakable flavor and creamy texture in this classic dish.
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Ingredients
70g dried smoked shrimp
250g white fish fillets
Salt and black pepper to taste
1/2 onion, sliced
1 skinless tomato, diced
1/2 cup green bell pepper, chopped
2 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp red pepper flakes
20 mL lime juice
3 tbsp dende oil
1/2 cup roasted cashew nuts
1/2 cup roasted and peeled peanuts
1 tsp grated ginger
2 slices crustless sandwich bread, soaked
1/2 cup coconut milk
1/2 cup water
250g white fish fillets
Salt and black pepper to taste
1/2 onion, sliced
1 skinless tomato, diced
1/2 cup green bell pepper, chopped
2 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp red pepper flakes
20 mL lime juice
3 tbsp dende oil
1/2 cup roasted cashew nuts
1/2 cup roasted and peeled peanuts
1 tsp grated ginger
2 slices crustless sandwich bread, soaked
1/2 cup coconut milk
1/2 cup water
Where to find ingredients
Find fresh white fish and produce at local wet markets or supermarkets. Dried shrimp, dende oil (palm oil), and coconut milk are commonly stocked in specialized tropical food stores or international aisles. As a substitute for dende oil, red palm oil can be used, though it will alter the authentic flavor profile.
Preparation method
- Soak the dried shrimp in water until desalinated.
- Toast the peanuts and remove the skins.
- Season the fish fillets with salt and black pepper and set aside.
- In a pot, heat half of the dende oil and sauté the onion, tomato, coriander powder, and green bell pepper.
- Arrange the fish fillets over the sautéed mixture.
- Cook for about 5 minutes.
- Sprinkle with the red pepper flakes.
- Drizzle with the lime juice and the remaining dende oil.
- Cover the pot, place over medium heat, and cook until the fish is tender.
- Remove the fish from the sauce and break it into small pieces, reserving the sauce.
- In a blender or food processor, add the drained dried shrimp, cashews, roasted peanuts, grated ginger, soaked bread, coconut milk, and water.
- Process the mixture until it reaches a homogeneous paste, yet with a light texture, avoiding over-processing.
- Gently fold the processed paste into the sauce reserved in the pot.
- Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the characteristic creamy consistency of vatapá is achieved.
- Incorporate the reserved fish pieces into the mixture.
- Adjust salt and black pepper if necessary.
- Serve hot.
Observations
Vatapá is an iconic dish of Brazilian cuisine, especially popular in Bahia, known for its creamy texture and rich, complex flavor. Traditionally prepared with a base of stale bread, coconut milk, dende oil, and aromatic spices, it is enriched with dried shrimp and white fish. Its popularity stems from the unique combination of ingredients that result in a comforting and flavorful dish, perfect for special occasions or for enjoying a classic of the national gastronomy.
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