Dive into the rich, flavorful world of Afro-Brazilian cuisine with Vatapá. Originating from the vibrant culinary traditions of Bahia, this creamy dish combines the unique flavors of shrimp, nuts, and exotic oils, offering a taste experience that's both hearty and comforting.
Ingredients
🍤 400g dried and smoked shrimp
🥜 300g shelled peanuts toasted and unsalted preferred
🌰 300g shelled cashew nuts toasted and unsalted preferred
🥥 200ml coconut milk
🌴 200ml dendê oil palm oil
🌿 1 cup green herbs cheiro verde
🍞 1 cup breadcrumbs farinha de rosca
🧂 Given as salt to taste
💧 1 liter water
Instructions
1- Prepare Ingredients:
- Use a food processor e.g., a generic model to grind the cashew nuts and peanuts to a coarse flour consistency. Set aside in a bowl.
- Process the dried and smoked shrimp until finely minced. If fresh shrimp is used, sauté them first, then blend into a sauce.
2- Cooking the Vatapá:
- In a saucepan, combine the ground nuts, shrimp, breadcrumbs, a pinch of salt, coconut milk, and dendê oil.
- Add 1 liter of water to the mixture.
- Place the pan on an induction stove over medium heat and stir continuously using a "Home Style" spatula to prevent the mixture from sticking and burning.
3- Cooking to Consistency:
- Continue stirring the mixture for about 25 minutes until it thickens to a creamy, smooth texture.
4- Final Touches:
- Once thickened, incorporate the chopped green herbs and stir well.
- Adjust the seasoning with salt as needed.
5- Serving Suggestions:
- Serve Vatapá hot with plain white rice, alongside Moqueca (Brazilian fish stew), or with galinha caipira (free-range chicken).
- Garnish with additional green herbs and whole cooked shrimp for presentation.
Prep Time: ~10 minutes plus additional time if using fresh shrimp
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: ~35 minutes
Servings: 6
Equipment: Food processor, saucepan, induction cooktop, spatula Home Style, measuring jugs, serving bowls
Cooking Tips
- Ingredient Selection: Use unsalted, pre-toasted nuts for the best flavor. Smoked and dried shrimp is traditional but fresh shrimp is a viable alternative if sautéed and blended.
- Consistency Control: Aim for a creamy texture with some textural crunch from the nuts.
- Flavor Balance: Carefully adjust the salt because shrimp and nuts might already contain sodium.
- Stirring: Constant stirring is essential to avoid burning and ensure a smooth composition.
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