Fish Vatapa Recipes

SEAFOOD SAUTE WITH COCONUT AND NUTS: VATAPA DE CAMARONES Y PESCADO

Steps:

• Soak the dried shrimp in warm water, to cover, for 10 minutes. Drain the shrimp, puree them in food processor or blender, and set aside.
• Heat the 1/4 cup of dende oil or olive oil in a heavy skillet and saute the onions, garlic, jalapeno, cashews, almonds, and pureed dried shrimp for 10 minutes. Add the fish stock and coconut milk and simmer for 5 minutes.
• Add the sea bass and poach it in the sauce for about 12 minutes until the fish is flaky. Add the raw shrimp and cilantro cook for another 4 minutes.
• Drizzle with the remaining 1 tablespoon dende oil and serve with white rice.

VATAPA FISH SOUP WITH COCONUT MILK

Steps:

• In a large stock pot, heat the dende oil over medium low heat. Add the onion, garlic, ginger, and chiles. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are well softened. Add the tomatoes, lime juice, ground shrimp, and cashew butter and stir together for 1 minute more. Begin adding the chicken stock, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring all the time to keep the mixture smooth. Add the coconut milk, cilantro, salt, and Tabasco.
• When ready to serve, brush a very large, deep skillet or saucepan with a little oil and place in the fish in a single layer. Place the pan over medium low heat and, when it just begins to sizzle, pour in the broth mixture and slowly bring up to a simmer. Cook for about 8 minutes, or until the fish is opaque, adding the shrimp for the last 2 minutes of simmering time. Distribute the fish evenly among 6 or 8 bowls. Taste the broth for seasoning and pour over the fish. Squeeze a wedge of lime over each bowl and drop it in. Garnish with cilantro sprigs, if desired, and serve.

FISH BAKED IN COCONUT MILK

Steps:

• Cut fillets crosswise into strips 2-inches wide. Rub fish with mixture of lemon juice and oil, cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• In medium frying pan, over medium high heat, fry onion in oil until edges are nicely browned. Add garlic, ginger, and green chile, and stir over medium heat for 2 minutes. Add tomatoes, spice mixture, fennel seeds, and salt, and fry, stirring constantly until tomato pieces break down to form a lumpy paste. Add coconut milk and simmer about 5 minutes until a thick, rich sauce is formed.
• Arrange fish in an oiled baking/serving dish large enough to hold fish in a single layer. Bake, uncovered, for 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Pour sauce over fish, cover tightly with aluminum foil, and return to oven for 15 to 20 minutes until fish is opaque.
• Garnish with chopped cilantro.

FISH VATAPA

Steps:

• Add the bread to the coconut milk. Using a food processor, a small quantity at a time, blend the peanuts and dried shrimp and add to the first mixture. Bring mixture to a boil and then blend mixture in food processor.
• Brown onions lightly in oil then add the tomatoes, parsley, chives, and the bay leaf. Cut up the cooked shrimp fine and add. Add the fish and a little water.
• Cover the pan and cook 5-6 minutes or until the fish flakes easily with a fork. Do not overcook.
• Remove fish and shrimp to a deep dish. Take the sauce the fish was cooked in, puree it in food processor and add to original mixture. Bring original mixture to a boil and pour over fish and shrimp.