Title: Moqueca De Peixe (Bahian Style Fish Stew)
Categories: Seafood Ethnic
Yield: 4 Servings
| 3 | | Sprigs fr. cilantro |
| 1 | | Md-sz ripe tomato, quartered |
| 1/2 | | Md-sz green bell pepper, seeded |
| 1 | | Md-sz onion, quart. |
| | | Salt and black pepper |
| 2 | lb | Fish fillets (cod, scrod,haddock,or any white, firm-fleshed |
| 1 | tb | Fresh lemon juice |
| 1/2 | c | Thin coconut milk* |
| 2 | tb | Dende* |
| 2 | tb | Peanut oil |
*Heat a coconut in a 350 degree oven for 10 minutes so it will develop
"fault lines. Remove from oven and, holding it in a cloth (it will be hot)
over a large bowl, hit it along the fault lines with a hammer or heavy
mallet. The coconut will open. Reserve the liquid, remove the meat from the
shell and take off the brown outer pieces with a pairing knife. Grate the
coconut meat, either with a hand grater or in a food processor. Wrap in
cheesecloth and pour 1/2 cup warm water over it while holding it over a
bowl. Squeeze the liquid from the coconut into the bowl. This is thick
coconut milk. Add the reserved coconut water and grated coconut residue.
This is the only way to get the true Brazilian taste. Otherwise, you can
buy a bottle of coconut milk from specialty stores (and it is pretty
hideous). African markets in the United States. Chop the coriander, tomato,
pepper, and onion in a food processor until you have a coarse paste. Then
place the mixture in a large, heavy skillet over low heat. Add the salt and
pepper and cook for 15 minutes. Add the fish fillets to the mixture and
continue cooking for an additional 5 to 7 minutes. Add the remaining
ingredients, stir and allow to simmer for 5 minutes. Serve the moqueca hot
with white rice and Farofa.