Savory Brazilian Vatapá with Cashew Nuts and Coconut Milk

Name: Savory Brazilian Vatapá with Cashew Nuts and Coconut Milk
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: Stale French bread; Coconut milk; Fish stock (or water); Dendê oil (red palm oil); Olive oil; Onion; Garlic cloves; Fresh ginger; Red bell pepper; Cayenne pepper; Roasted cashew nuts; Roasted peanuts; Shrimp; Lime juice; Salt and black pepper

A Creamy & Nutty Brazilian Delight

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.

1 h 30 min
6
Intermediate

Ingredients

Vatapá Base

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

Spice Blend

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)

Nuts

Roasted cashew nuts

1 cup, ground

Roasted peanuts

1/2 cup, ground

Seafood

Shrimp

1 lb, peeled and deveined

Lime juice

Juice of 1 lime

Salt and black pepper

To taste

Preparation

Marinating the Shrimp

Marinate shrimp

In a bowl, combine shrimp, lime juice, salt, and black pepper.

Set aside

Mix well and set aside to marinate for 15 minutes.

Preparing the Base

Soak bread

Soak the bread cubes in coconut milk and fish stock. Let it rest for 10 minutes.

Ensure the bread is thoroughly soaked for an authentic creamy texture.

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.

Be cautious with dendê oil as it has a strong flavor; too much can overpower the dish.

Cooking Process

Blend bread mixture

Blend the soaked bread mixture until smooth with a hand blender or in a food processor.

Cook the base

Add the ground nuts and blended bread mixture to the pot, stirring continuously.

Incorporate shrimp

Fold in the marinated shrimp, cooking until they turn pink and are fully cooked.

Timing and heat guide

Sauté aromatics on medium heat for 10 minutes. Simmer on low heat for 30 minutes.

Plating & Serving