Description
Brazilian Vatapá is a rich, creamy seafood stew made with shrimp, coconut milk, and a blend of vibrant spices. This comforting dish features a flavorful sauce thickened with breadcrumbs and palm oil, delivering a deliciously unique taste from Bahia, Brazil. Perfect served with rice or crusty bread, Vatapá is an ideal main course that brings warmth and exotic flair to your dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Seafood
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
Liquids & Oils
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk
- 1/2 cup palm oil or vegetable oil
Seasonings & Others
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce (or soy sauce)
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
- 1 tablespoon lime juice (optional for serving)
Instructions
- Cook the shrimp: In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes until they turn pink. Remove the shrimp from the pot and set aside to prevent overcooking.
- Sauté aromatics: In the same pot, add the chopped onion, garlic, and bell pepper. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened and fragrant. Add the grated fresh ginger and cook for another minute to release its flavor.
- Add spices and liquids: Pour in the coconut milk along with fish sauce, cayenne pepper if using, turmeric, cumin, and tomato paste. Stir well to combine all ingredients into a smooth base.
- Incorporate breadcrumbs: Slowly add the breadcrumbs to the sauce, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. As the breadcrumbs absorb the coconut milk, the mixture will thicken, creating a creamy texture.
- Simmer the sauce: Reduce the heat to low and let the vatapá simmer gently for 10-15 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken further.
- Reintroduce shrimp: Add the cooked shrimp back into the pot, stirring gently to coat them with the sauce. Let the mixture simmer together for an additional 5 minutes for the flavors to blend perfectly.
- Season and serve: Taste the vatapá and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and a splash of lime juice if desired. Serve hot, garnished with chopped fresh cilantro alongside steamed rice or warm crusty bread.
- Enjoy your dish: This rich, flavorful Brazilian seafood stew is perfect as a main course or a festive side dish, bringing authentic Bahian flavors to your meal.
Notes
- You can substitute palm oil with vegetable oil if unavailable, but palm oil lends an authentic flavor and vibrant color.
- For a vegetarian version, omit shrimp and add vegetables like okra or eggplant.
- Add cayenne pepper cautiously to control the heat level as desired.
- Breadcrumbs are essential to achieve the creamy texture; do not skip or replace with flour.
- Vatapá pairs excellently with white rice or Brazilian farofa for a traditional experience.
