Main Course · Dinner · Brazilian · Latin American ·

Savory Brazilian Vatapá with Cashew Nuts and Coconut Milk

Name: Savory Brazilian Vatapá with Cashew Nuts and Coconut Milk
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 120 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: Stale French bread, 1 loaf, cut into cubes; Coconut milk, 2 cups; Fish stock (or water), 1 cup; Dendê oil (red palm oil), 2 tablespoons; Olive oil, 2 tablespoons; Onion, 1 large, chopped; Garlic cloves, 3 cloves, minced; Fresh ginger, 1 tbsp, grated; Red bell pepper, 1, diced; Cayenne pepper, 1 tsp (adjust to taste); Roasted cashew nuts, 1 cup, ground; Roasted peanuts, 1/2 cup, ground; Shrimp, 1 lb, peeled and deveined; Lime juice, Juice of 1 lime; Salt and black pepper, To taste

Indulge in the rich flavors of Northeastern Brazil with this traditional dish, blending coconut milk, cashew nuts, and aromatic spices for a delightful main course.

4.1(60 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·August 20, 2025

Savory Brazilian Vatapá with Cashew Nuts and Coconut Milk — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

30 min

Cook

1 h 30 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

Vatapá Base

Spice Blend

Nuts

Seafood

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 711 kcal
Protein: 29 g
Carbs: 52 g
Fat: 44 g
Fiber: 5 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 4265 kcal
Protein: 176 g
Carbs: 314 g
Fat: 265 g
Fiber: 28 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
Stale French bread 1 loaf, cut into cubes	1100	35	210	10	10
Coconut milk 2 cups	900	8	16	96	2
Fish stock (or water) 1 cup	30	5	2	0	0
Dendê oil (red palm oil) 2 tablespoons	240	0	0	28	0
Olive oil 2 tablespoons	240	0	0	28	0
Onion 1 large, chopped	60	1	14	0	3
Garlic cloves 3 cloves, minced	15	0	4	0	0
Fresh ginger 1 tbsp, grated	5	0	1	0	0
Red bell pepper 1, diced	30	1	7	0	2
Cayenne pepper 1 tsp (adjust to taste)	5	0	1	0	0
Roasted cashew nuts 1 cup, ground	720	18	36	60	6
Roasted peanuts 1/2 cup, ground	430	18	20	35	5
Shrimp 1 lb, peeled and deveined	480	90	0	8	0
Lime juice Juice of 1 lime	10	0	3	0	0
Salt and black pepper To taste	0	0	0	0	0

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Marinating the Shrimp

1
Marinate shrimp
In a bowl, combine shrimp, lime juice, salt, and black pepper.
2
Set aside
Mix well and set aside to marinate for 15 minutes.

Preparing the Base

1
Soak bread
Soak the bread cubes in coconut milk and fish stock. Let it rest for 10 minutes.
Tip: Ensure the bread is thoroughly soaked for an authentic creamy texture.
2
Heat oils and sauté aromatics
In a large pot, heat dendê oil and olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, ginger, and bell pepper. Sauté until the onion is translucent.
Tip: Be cautious with dendê oil as it has a strong flavor; too much can overpower the dish.

How to Make Savory Brazilian Vatapá with Cashew Nuts and Coconut Milk

Total time: 2 h · Yields 6 servings

1
Blend bread mixture
Blend the soaked bread mixture until smooth with a hand blender or in a food processor.
2
Cook the base
Add the ground nuts and blended bread mixture to the pot, stirring continuously.
3
Incorporate shrimp
Fold in the marinated shrimp, cooking until they turn pink and are fully cooked.
4
Timing and heat guide
Sauté aromatics on medium heat for 10 minutes. Simmer on low heat for 30 minutes.