Brazilian Vatapá

SpiceBreeze

Get right into the center of the Brazilian carnival with this popular street food, Vatapá. Original from Africa, it is known as a specialty from the region of Bahia and spread throughout Brazil. This recipe with a modern twist comes directly from Brazil. Ground annatto seeds add a warm, earthy flavor and natural red color. Though shrimp is a typical ingredient, Vatapá is just as popular without it.

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Hands-on Time 30

Course Main Course

Cuisine Brazilian

Servings

Ingredients

1 lb raw shrimp cleaned
1 cup coconut milk shake can well
2 tomatoes diced
4 cups cooked rice
up to 1 cup broth fish recommended
1 onion finely chopped
1 clove garlic grated
2 slices sandwich bread crust removed
salt
oil

Vatapá Culinary Spice Kit

Annatto, turmeric, ginger, cumin, white pepper, bay leaves

Optional

1-2 tbsp peanuts ground
1 tbsp fresh cilantro chopped
1 lime for juice
8 oz watercress

Instructions

Prepare

Cut the bread into small pieces.
In a BOWL, add the bread and the coconut milk.
Let it soak for 15 minutes.
Mash it with a fork.

Cook

In a PAN, heat 2 tbsp oil over high heat.
Fry the shrimp until brown on all sides.
Take them out and set them aside.
Fry the onions over medium heat until translucent.
Add garlic, tomatoes, and Vatapá spices.
Stir fry for about 2 minutes.
Add the coconut milk with the bread, salt to taste, and optionally peanuts.
Cook about 15 minutes over medium-low heat to get a thick creamy sauce. Add some broth if necessary.
Return the shrimp to reheat.
Optionally, add cilantro and lime juice to taste.

Serve

Serve with rice and optionally watercress or a fresh salad of your choice.
Enjoy!

Notes

Substitute the shrimp with fish filet (e.g. cod or snapper), cut into 1-inch pieces, or chicken breast or thighs, cut into 1/2-inch strips. Return them with the coconut milk.
Omit or substitute the shrimp with garbanzo beans.
Add 1-2 jalapeno pepper and/or 4 small sweet peppers to the onions, cut into thin slices.

Marceline Reid-Jaques

2022-12-14

Karen Jones

2022-12-05

Wonderful, flavorful meals using readily available ingredients!

ann davis

2022-11-29

My daughter gave me a subscription as a Christmas present while our families were quarantining together. It was so much fun! It introduced us to several cuisines that were totally new to us. The recipes were easy to follow and the spices were transformative - fresh and pungent and delicious.