Recipe of Vatapá

Ingredients

• 1 cup dried shrimp, soaked in water
• 1 cup unsalted cashews
• 1 cup unsweetened desiccated coconut
• 2 cups stale bread, torn into pieces
• 1 cup fish or shrimp stock
• 1/2 cup palm oil (dendê oil)
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 2 tablespoons ground dried shrimp
• 2 tablespoons ginger, minced
• 2 tablespoons ground peanuts
• 2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
• 2 tablespoons green onions, chopped
• 1 teaspoon chili pepper (or more for extra heat)
• Salt to taste

Directions

1. 1

   Drain the soaked shrimp and place them in a food processor. Grind into a paste, then set aside.

2. 2

   In a separate food processor, grind the cashews, desiccated coconut, and torn bread until you have a smooth paste.

3. 3

   In a large pot, heat the palm oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions, garlic, red bell pepper, and ginger. Sauté until the onions are translucent.

4. 4

   Add the tomatoes and cook until they start to break down.

5. 5

   Stir in the ground dried shrimp, ground peanuts, cilantro, green onions, and chili pepper. Cook for a few more minutes.

6. 6

   Pour in the fish or shrimp stock, then add the cashew-coconut-bread paste, the dried shrimp paste, and salt to taste.

7. 7

   Stir well and cook for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally until the mixture thickens.

8. 8

   Serve the Vatapá hot, ideally over rice, and enjoy this authentic Brazilian dish with a unique blend of flavors!