Moqueca Baiana (Brazilian Seafood Stew)
Moqueca baiana is a rich seafood stew from Brazil, reminiscent of a mild curry but not made from a spice paste base. This recipe is for the Afro-Brazilian version of moqueca from the state of Bahia. There's also moqueca capixaba from Espirito Santo which uses tomato purΓ©e and annatto, lacking the African influence by omitting the coconut milk and dende oil (palm oil). Dende oil is the key ingredient in this recipe.
π Recipe adapted from AllRecipes
Place crabmeat and shrimp in a dish; coat with lemon juice, lime juice, 3 cloves garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
Cover with plastic wrap; chill until ready to use.
Combine rice, 3 cups plus 2 tablespoons water, coconut milk, chopped onion, butter, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 clove garlic in a large saucepan or rice cooker.
Simmer, covered, until water is absorbed, about 15 minutes.
Heat dende oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Cook and stir sliced onion until beginning to soften, about 5 minutes.
Add yellow bell pepper, orange bell pepper, and crushed pepper.
Cook and stir until heated through, 3 to 5 minutes.
Add sliced tomatoes, chopped tomato, and green onions.
Reduce heat to low; let vegetable mixture simmer for 5 minutes.
Add the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and cilantro.
Transfer 1/2 the vegetable mixture to a plate.
Spread the remaining mixture to evenly cover the bottom of the skillet.
Spread crab-shrimp mixture on top.
Top with the remaining vegetable mixture and pour on coconut milk.
Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
Reduce heat to low.
Cook without stirring until flavors blend, about 15 minutes.
Serve over the rice.
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