Brazilian recipe
Traditional Bahian Fish Stew (Moqueca baiana)
A classic moqueca baiana with fresh fish, coconut milk and dendê oil. A richly seasoned stew with unmistakable Brazilian character.
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Ingredients
1 kg white fish (snapper, shark, dorado) in pieces or cubes
Juice of 1 lime
3 cloves garlic, crushed
Salt to taste
2 large onions, cut into thick slices
3 ripe tomatoes, cut into thick slices
1 green bell pepper, cut into thick slices
1 bunch fresh coriander, roughly chopped
200 ml coconut milk
1/2 cup dendê oil
Juice of 1 lime
3 cloves garlic, crushed
Salt to taste
2 large onions, cut into thick slices
3 ripe tomatoes, cut into thick slices
1 green bell pepper, cut into thick slices
1 bunch fresh coriander, roughly chopped
200 ml coconut milk
1/2 cup dendê oil
Where to find ingredients
Look for the fish at the seafood counter, and pick up coconut milk, lime, vegetables, herbs and dendê oil at the wet market or supermarket produce and international foods section. If dendê oil is hard to find, a specialty Caribbean or African grocer is the best place to check, but keep the original ingredient for authenticity.
Preparation method
- Season the fish pieces or cubes with the lime juice, crushed garlic and salt
- Let the fish marinate for at least 20 minutes
- In a clay pot or deep skillet, arrange half of the onion, tomato and pepper slices to form a base
- Lay the seasoned fish pieces over the vegetables
- Cover the fish with the remaining onion, tomato and pepper slices
- Sprinkle half of the chopped coriander over the vegetables and fish
- Drizzle evenly with the dendê oil and then with the coconut milk
- Cover the pot and place over medium heat
- Cook for approximately 20 minutes
- Check that the fish is cooked through and tender, but not falling apart
- If needed, continue cooking for another 5 to 10 minutes
- Finish by sprinkling the remaining chopped coriander over the moqueca before serving it hot
Observations
Moqueca baiana is one of the most celebrated dishes in Brazilian cookery, with deep roots in Afro-Brazilian culture in Bahia. This rich, aromatic stew brings together the tenderness of fresh fish, the sweetness of coconut milk and the unmistakable flavour of dendê oil. It is a comforting, festive meal, ideal for sharing with family and friends, and it is traditionally served with sides such as white rice, farofa and pirão, which round out its texture and flavour.
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