Brazilian recipe
Traditional Moqueca Baiana Fish Stew
Experience the authentic taste of Brazil with this classic Moqueca Baiana—a fragrant, creamy fish stew made with fresh catch, coconut milk, and earthy dendê oil.
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Ingredients
1 kg white fish (such as sea bass, hake, or monkfish), cut into fillets or chunks
Juice of 1 lemon
3 garlic cloves, crushed
Salt to taste
2 large onions, thickly sliced
3 ripe tomatoes, thickly sliced
1 green bell pepper, thickly sliced
1 bunch fresh coriander, roughly chopped
200 ml coconut milk
½ cup dende oil (palm oil)
Juice of 1 lemon
3 garlic cloves, crushed
Salt to taste
2 large onions, thickly sliced
3 ripe tomatoes, thickly sliced
1 green bell pepper, thickly sliced
1 bunch fresh coriander, roughly chopped
200 ml coconut milk
½ cup dende oil (palm oil)
Where to find ingredients
White fish: Look for fresh, firm-fleshed white fish at your local fishmonger or the fresh seafood counter at the supermarket. Hake or monkfish are excellent choices. Coconut milk: Available in the canned goods aisle at most major supermarkets. Dende oil (red palm oil): This is essential for the authentic flavor. You can typically find it in the international foods aisle, or check local African, Caribbean, or Latin American specialty grocery stores. Coriander: Widely available in the fresh produce section of any grocery store.
Preparation method
- Season the fish fillets or chunks with lemon juice, crushed garlic, and salt
- Allow the fish to marinate for at least 20 minutes
- In a clay pot or deep heavy-bottomed skillet, arrange half of the onion, tomato, and bell pepper slices to create a base
- Place the seasoned fish evenly over the bed of vegetables
- Cover the fish with the remaining onion, tomato, and bell pepper slices
- Sprinkle half of the chopped coriander over the vegetables and fish
- Drizzle the dende oil evenly over the top, followed by the coconut milk
- Cover the pot with a lid and place it over medium heat
- Cook for approximately 20 minutes
- Check that the fish is cooked through and tender, but taking care not to let it break apart
- If needed, continue to simmer for an additional 5 to 10 minutes until the vegetables are perfectly soft
- Finish by sprinkling the remaining fresh coriander over the stew just before serving piping hot
Observations
Moqueca Baiana is a celebrated centerpiece of Brazilian home cooking, deeply rooted in the Afro-Brazilian heritage of the Bahia region. This rich, aromatic stew balances the delicate flakiness of white fish with the creamy sweetness of coconut milk and the distinctive, vibrant depth of dende oil. It is a true comfort food classic, perfect for family weekend meals, and traditionally served alongside steaming white rice, crunchy farofa, and a flavorful pirão to soak up every drop of the savory broth.
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