Description
Moqueca is a traditional Brazilian fish stew made with white fish, coconut milk, bell peppers, tomatoes, and aromatic herbs. It’s a rich, flavorful dish often served with rice or farofa.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1.5 lbs white fish fillets (such as cod or snapper), cut into chunks
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, thinly sliced
- 1 bell pepper (red or yellow), thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tomatoes, chopped
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1/2 cup fish stock or water
- 2 tablespoons dendê oil (palm oil), optional but traditional
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
Instructions
- Season the fish chunks with lime juice, salt, and pepper. Let marinate for 20 minutes.
- In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions and bell peppers, sauté until soft.
- Add garlic and tomatoes, cooking until tomatoes break down.
- Layer the marinated fish on top of the vegetable mixture.
- Pour in coconut milk and fish stock. Do not stir; let the fish simmer gently.
- Cover and cook for about 15–20 minutes, until the fish is cooked through.
- Add dendê oil, cilantro, and green onions. Simmer for 2–3 more minutes.
- Serve hot with rice and farofa, if desired.
Notes
- Dendê oil gives the dish its authentic taste and color, but can be omitted or substituted with a mix of paprika and olive oil if unavailable.
- Use fresh, firm white fish for best texture and flavor.
- This dish is traditionally served with white rice and sometimes with pirão (a creamy side made from fish broth and cassava flour).
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 70mg