How To Prepare Brazilian Vatapá

Vatapá is a rich and flavorful Brazilian dish, typically served as a main course or used as a filling for acarajé fritters. It combines tropical ingredients such as dendê palm oil, coconut milk, fish, and shrimp with the subtle crunch of cashews and almonds. The dish is hearty, creamy, and brimming with a balance of savory and sweet flavors.

Ingredients for Brazilian Vatapá

• 1 cup dried shrimp
• 1 cup crushed cashews
• 1 cup sliced almonds
• ¼ cup palm oil
• 2 chopped onions
• 2 chopped garlic cloves
• 1 chopped jalapeño
• 1 cup fish stock
• 3 cups coconut milk
• 8 ounces white fish fillet
• 1 pound shelled shrimp
• 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
• Salt, to taste

Directions on How to Prepare Brazilian Vatapá

Step 1: Prepare the Shrimp

1. Clean and dry the dried shrimp. Place the shrimp in a bowl of boiling water and let it cook for about 20 minutes.
2. After cooking, drain the water and set the shrimp aside.

Step 2: Grind the Nuts and Shrimp

1. Chop the cashews and almonds by hand or in a food processor.
2. Combine the dried shrimp, cashews, and almonds in a food processor. Pulse until everything is finely ground into a powder.

Step 3: Sautee the Aromatics

1. In a large skillet, heat the palm oil over medium heat.
2. Add the chopped garlic, jalapeño, and onions to the skillet. Sauté until the onions become soft and translucent, about 4–5 minutes.

Step 4: Make the Base Sauce

1. Add the shrimp/nut powder mixture, fish stock, and coconut milk to the skillet. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes.

Step 5: Cook the Fish

1. Add the white fish fillets to the mixture and simmer for another 10 minutes or until the fish is fully cooked.

Step 6: Add Shrimp and Cilantro

1. Add the cooked shrimp and chopped cilantro to the skillet and simmer for an additional 4 minutes.
2. Season with salt to taste.

Step 7: Serve

1. Serve the vatapá warm, either with white rice or as a filling for acarajé fritters.

Additional Tips for Vatapá

• If you prefer a smoother texture, you can blend the sauce after simmering and before adding the fish and shrimp.
• Dendê oil, a type of palm oil, is essential for the authentic flavor, but you can adjust the amount based on your preference for richness and color.
• Coconut milk brings a creamy texture, but you can adjust the thickness by varying the amount depending on whether you prefer a thicker or thinner sauce.

Conclusion

Vatapá is a classic Brazilian dish, full of tropical flavors and hearty ingredients. Whether you serve it with rice or use it as a filling for acarajé, this dish is sure to delight your taste buds with its rich, savory, and slightly spicy profile. Enjoy a taste of Brazil with this delicious recipe!