Description
Brazilian Vatapá is a rich and flavorful dish made with shrimp, coconut milk, and a variety of spices. It’s the perfect combination of creamy, savory, and slightly spicy—ideal for a tropical meal!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup palm oil or vegetable oil
- 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
- Prepare 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.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In the same pot, add the chopped onion, garlic, and bell pepper. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened. Add the grated ginger and cook for another minute.
- Make the Base Sauce: Add the coconut milk, fish sauce, cayenne pepper (if using), turmeric, cumin, and tomato paste to the pot. Stir well to combine.
- Add the Breadcrumbs: Slowly add the breadcrumbs to the sauce, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. The mixture will begin to thicken as the breadcrumbs absorb the coconut milk.
- Simmer the Vatapá: Reduce the heat and let the mixture simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to a creamy consistency.
- Finish the Dish: Add the cooked shrimp back into the pot and stir to combine. Let everything simmer together for another 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and lime juice. Serve the Vatapá with rice or warm crusty bread, garnished with chopped cilantro.
- Enjoy: This rich and flavorful Brazilian dish is perfect as a main course or side dish!
Notes
- Vatapá is traditionally served with white rice in Brazil, but you can also serve it with crusty bread or even over pasta.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, add more breadcrumbs or reduce the coconut milk.
- You can adjust the level of heat by increasing or decreasing the cayenne pepper.
- Vatapá is also delicious with other proteins like chicken or fish, if you prefer.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Brazilian, Latin American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of the recipe
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 150mg