International Recipes and Cooking Around the World

Moqueca

Moqueca Brazilian fish and coconut milk stew

(Brazilian fish and coconut milk stew)

Image by Jen SFO-BCN

4
Average: 4 (29 votes)

Moqueca, sometimes spelled muqueca, is a simple yet tasty Brazilian seafood stew from Bahia state. As with many of the dishes of Bahia, moqueca shows strong African roots.

4 to 6 servings

Ingredients

  • White-fleshed fish, cut into chunks -- 1 1/2 pounds
  • Limes, juice only -- 2
  • Salt -- 1 teaspoon
  • Oil -- 2 tablespoons
  • Onion, diced -- 2
  • Bell peppers, diced -- 2
  • Garlic, minced -- 2 or 3 cloves
  • Chile (malagueta) peppers, minced -- 1 to 3
  • Tomatoes, peeled, seeded and diced -- 3 cups
  • Coconut milk -- 2 cups
  • Salt and pepper -- to taste
  • Dendê, or red palm oil (optional) -- 2 tablespoons

Method

  1. Toss the fish, lime juice and salt together in a large, non-reactive bowl and set aside to marinate for about 30 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile heat the oil in a medium-sized pot over medium flame. Add the onions and peppers and saute until the onions are translucent. Add the garlic and chile peppers and sauté for another minute more.
  3. Stir in the tomatoes and simmer for about 5 more minutes to cook them down somewhat.
  4. Stir in the coconut milk and the fish with its marinade. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to low. Simmer gently for about 5 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through.
  5. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Stir in dendê oil, if using, and serve in bowls alone or over rice.

Moqueca Variations

  • Moqueca de camarão (Shrimp moqueca): Substitute shrimp for the fish. A very popular variation.
  • Use any type of seafood you like: crab, mussels, lobster.
  • For a lighter stew, substitute water or stock for 1 cup of the coconut milk.

Disclaimer

Whats4eats is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

You Might Also Like

Vatapá

Vatapa Brazilian seafood stew

(Brazilian seafood stew with coconut milk)