Brazilian recipe
Traditional Creamy Vatapá (Vatapá cremoso tradicional brasileiro)
A savory and iconic dish featuring dried shrimp, white fish, palm oil, and nuts. Discover the rich, creamy texture and unique flavor of this classic.
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Ingredients
70g smoked dried shrimp
250g white fish steaks
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 dende oil (palm oil)
1/2 cup roasted cashew nuts
1/2 cup peeled and roasted peanuts
1 tsp grated ginger
2 slices of crustless white bread, soaked
1/2 cup coconut milk
1/2 cup water
250g white fish steaks
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 dende oil (palm oil)
1/2 cup roasted cashew nuts
1/2 cup peeled and roasted peanuts
1 tsp grated ginger
2 slices of crustless white bread, soaked
1/2 cup coconut milk
1/2 cup water
Where to find ingredients
Find dried shrimp and dende oil (palm oil) at specialty international food markets or Asian grocery stores. White fish, nuts, and fresh produce are available at local supermarkets.
Preparation method
- Soak the dried shrimp in water to remove excess salt.
- Roast the peanuts and remove their skins.
- Season the fish steaks with salt and black pepper and set aside.
- In a pan, heat half of the dende oil and sauté the onion, tomato, coriander powder, and green bell pepper.
- Place the fish steaks on top of the sautéed mixture.
- Cook for about 5 minutes.
- Sprinkle with the red pepper flakes.
- Drizzle with the lemon juice and the remaining dende oil.
- Cover the pan, 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, cashew nuts, roasted peanuts, grated ginger, soaked bread, coconut milk, and water.
- Process the mixture until it forms a smooth paste, maintaining a slight texture without over-processing.
- Gently stir the processed paste into the sauce reserved in the pan.
- Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture reaches the characteristic creamy consistency of vatapá.
- Incorporate the reserved fish pieces into the mixture.
- Adjust the salt and black pepper if necessary.
- Serve hot.
Observations
Vatapá is an iconic dish of Brazilian cuisine, particularly celebrated in Bahia for its signature creamy texture and complex, rich flavor profile. Traditionally crafted with a base of soaked bread, coconut milk, palm oil, and aromatic spices, it is further enriched with dried shrimp and white fish. Its enduring popularity stems from the unique combination of these ingredients, creating a deeply comforting and flavorful dish that stands as a true highlight of traditional gastronomy, perfect for special occasions.
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