Brazilian recipe
Traditional Creamy Brazilian Vatapá
Delicious homemade vatapá recipe with dried shrimp, fish, palm oil, and nuts. Unmistakable flavor and creamy texture for your meal.
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Ingredients
70g smoked dried shrimp
250g white fish steaks
Salt and black peppercorns to taste
1/2 onion, sliced
1 tomato, peeled and diced
1/2 cup (120ml) chopped green bell pepper
2 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp red pepper flakes
20ml lemon juice
3 tbsp palm oil
1/2 cup (75g) roasted cashew nuts
1/2 cup (75g) shelled and roasted peanuts
1 tsp grated ginger
2 slices of white bread, crusts removed, soaked
1/2 cup (120ml) coconut milk
1/2 cup (120ml) water
250g white fish steaks
Salt and black peppercorns to taste
1/2 onion, sliced
1 tomato, peeled and diced
1/2 cup (120ml) chopped green bell pepper
2 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp red pepper flakes
20ml lemon juice
3 tbsp palm oil
1/2 cup (75g) roasted cashew nuts
1/2 cup (75g) shelled and roasted peanuts
1 tsp grated ginger
2 slices of white bread, crusts removed, soaked
1/2 cup (120ml) coconut milk
1/2 cup (120ml) water
Where to find ingredients
Dried shrimp, white fish, palm oil, cashew nuts, and peanuts can typically be found in Latin American markets, specialty food stores, or larger supermarkets. Coconut milk is widely available in the international aisle of most 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 pepper and set aside
- In a pan, heat half of the palm oil and sauté the onion, tomato, ground coriander, and bell pepper
- Arrange the fish steaks over the sautéed mixture
- Cook for about 5 minutes
- Sprinkle with red pepper flakes
- Drizzle with lemon juice and the remaining palm oil
- Cover the pan, place over 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, cashew nuts, roasted peanuts, grated ginger, soaked bread, coconut milk, and water
- Process the mixture until a homogeneous paste is obtained, but with a slight texture, without grinding too much
- Gently mix the processed paste into the reserved sauce in the pan
- Place 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 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, palm oil, and seasonings, it's enriched with dried shrimp and white fish. Its popularity stems from 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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