Vatapa

Ingredients

• •4 slices stale white bread, torn
• •1 cup coconut milk
• •1/2 cup dried shrimp, soaked 20 minutes
• •1 lb raw shrimp, peeled
• •1 onion, chopped
• •3 garlic cloves
• •1-inch piece ginger
• •1/2 cup roasted peanuts
• •1/4 cup cashews
• •3 tbsp dende (red palm) oil
• •Salt and chili, to taste

Steps

1. 1.Tear the stale bread into pieces and soak it in the coconut milk for about 10 minutes until softened.
2. 2.Drain the soaked dried shrimp, then blend them with the onion, garlic, ginger, peanuts, and cashews into a coarse paste.
3. 3.Heat the dende oil in a large pot over medium heat and cook the blended paste for a few minutes until fragrant.
4. 4.Add the soaked bread and coconut milk, and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens into a smooth, porridge-like paste - keep stirring so it doesn't catch on the bottom.
5. 5.Stir in the raw shrimp and cook for another 5-8 minutes until just cooked through and the stew has thickened further.
6. 6.Season with salt and chili, and serve hot over rice, traditionally alongside acaraje or as part of a Bahian feast.