Brazilian Cuisine
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Vatapá

Vatapá is a creamy, flavorful Brazilian dish originating from the northeastern state of Bahia, known for its rich blend of African, Indigenous, and Portuguese influences. It is a thick paste made from bread, shrimp, coconut milk, peanuts, and palm oil, traditionally served with rice or acarajé, highlighting Afro-Brazilian culinary heritage.

10 ingredients
creamysavorynuttyspicyfragrant
African70%
Indigenous20%
Portuguese10%

Ingredients

  • dried shrimp
    1 cup
  • stale white bread
    2 cups
  • coconut milk
    1 cup
  • ground peanuts
    1/2 cup
  • palm oil (dendê oil)
    1/2 cup
  • onion
    1 medium, chopped
  • ginger
    1 tsp, grated
  • cilantro
    1/4 cup, chopped
  • lime juice
    2 tbsp
  • salt
    to taste

Method

Steps not available

Vatapá originated in Bahia, Brazil, where African slaves adapted local ingredients and cooking techniques to create this dish, blending African palm oil and seafood with indigenous and Portuguese staples.

Ingredient ancestry breakdown

African70%
ingredients+techniques
Indigenous20%
ingredient_origin
ingredient_origin
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