Brazilian Moqueca de Camarão – Shrimp Coconut Stew

A tropical seafood specialty from Bahia, Brazil, Moqueca is a fragrant shrimp stew made with coconut milk, tomatoes, peppers, and the iconic dendê oil.

Ingredients (Serves 4):

* 500g shrimp, peeled and deveined
* Juice of 1 lime
* 1 onion, sliced
* 1 red bell pepper, sliced
* 2 garlic cloves, minced
* 200ml coconut milk
* 2 tomatoes, chopped
* 2 tbsp dendê oil (or substitute with olive oil + paprika)
* Fresh cilantro, salt, pepper

Instructions:

1. Marinate shrimp in lime juice and salt for 15 minutes.
2. In a pan, sauté onion, garlic, and bell pepper in dendê oil.
3. Add tomatoes and cook until softened. Pour in coconut milk.
4. Add shrimp and simmer gently for 5 minutes until just cooked.
5. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with white rice.

Brazilian Tip:
Dendê oil adds a unique flavor and vibrant color — it's essential to authentic Moqueca.