Brazilian recipe
Creamy Traditional Brazilian Vatapá
Delicious homemade vatapá recipe with dried shrimp, fish, dendê oil, and nuts. Unmistakable flavor and creamy texture for your meal.
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Ingredients
70g dried smoked shrimp
250g white fish fillets
Salt and black pepper to taste
1/2 onion, sliced
1 tomato, peeled and diced
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
2 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp red pepper flakes
20 mL lemon juice
3 tbsp dendê oil
1/2 cup roasted cashews
1/2 cup shelled and roasted peanuts
1 tsp grated ginger
2 slices white bread, crusts removed, 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 tomato, peeled and diced
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
2 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp red pepper flakes
20 mL lemon juice
3 tbsp dendê oil
1/2 cup roasted cashews
1/2 cup shelled and roasted peanuts
1 tsp grated ginger
2 slices white bread, crusts removed, soaked
1/2 cup coconut milk
1/2 cup water
Where to find ingredients
Dried shrimp can often be found in the international aisle of well-stocked supermarkets or in Asian or Latin American specialty food stores. Dendê oil is a key ingredient for Brazilian cuisine and is usually available at Latin American or African specialty markets, or online. Cashews and peanuts are widely available in the supermarket nut section or in bulk food stores. Canned coconut milk is available in the international aisle of most supermarkets.
Preparation method
- Soak the dried shrimp in water to desalt them
- Roast the peanuts and remove the skins
- Season the fish fillets with salt and black pepper and set aside
- In a saucepan, heat half of the dendê oil and sauté the onion, tomato, ground coriander, and bell pepper
- Arrange the fish fillets over the sautéed mixture
- Cook for about 5 minutes
- Sprinkle with red pepper flakes
- Drizzle with lemon juice and the remaining dendê oil
- Cover the pan, bring to medium heat, and cook until the fish is tender
- Remove the fish from the sauce and flake 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 you get a homogeneous paste, but with a slight texture, without over-processing
- Gently mix the processed paste into the reserved sauce in the saucepan
- Place over low heat, stirring constantly, until it reaches the characteristic creamy consistency of vatapá
- Incorporate the reserved fish pieces into the mixture
- Adjust salt and black pepper, if necessary
- Serve hot
Observations
Vatapá is an iconic dish in 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, dendê oil, and seasonings, it is enriched with dried shrimp and white fish. Its popularity is due to the unique combination of ingredients that result in a comforting and flavorful dish, ideal for special occasions or for enjoying a classic of national gastronomy.
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