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 puree 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.

Step: 1

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. Mix well. Cover with plastic wrap; chill until ready to use.

Step: 2

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.

Step: 3

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.

Step: 4

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.

Per Serving: 480 calories; protein 21.8g; carbohydrates 57.3g; fat 18.9g; cholesterol 95.7mg; sodium 1139.4mg.

The name of “stew” can refer to both a food and a make dishes method. Stewing involves slowly cooking chunks of meat, vegetables or beans in a tastefull liquid . It’s same as to braising, but it makes have a few piece of differences. The meat is chopped into few of pieces but of being processing menu all of it , and the liquid completely covers the contents in a stew as compared to a braise’s halfway full . When meat or raw fruit are cooked using this method, the resulting dish is called stew.

Stew has a perception for being a rib-sticking eating process that comfortable you up on a cold , winter day. It’s true ; a bowl of classic beef stew does have warming properties , but stew’s comfort factor goes way beyond protecting you from the chill . It’s all about those tender chunks of meat and vegetables, swimming in a thick, ultra-rich gravy. The more they come together make the greatest comfort food, no matter the weather.