Description
A flavorful Brazilian Fish Stew, known as Moqueca, featuring tender chunks of white fish in a rich and creamy coconut milk broth infused with spices, peppers, and fresh herbs. Served with white rice and lime wedges, this dish is a delightful combination of savory and citrusy flavors.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the fish
- 2 pounds firm white fish (such as cod, halibut, black cod, sea bass, tilapia)
- juice from 1 lime
- 2 garlic cloves, grated or finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
For the sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow or red onion, thinly sliced
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
- 1 green bell pepper, diced or thinly sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced or thinly sliced
- 1 red chili, chopped or diced (adjust heat to preference)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons dendê oil, divided
- 3 small/medium-sized tomatoes (about 1 pound), chopped or 2 cups canned crushed tomatoes
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander (optional)
- 1/2 cup fish or chicken stock
- 1 14–oz can full-fat coconut milk
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro or green onions
- lime wedges for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the fish: Cut the fish into large chunks and marinate with lime juice, garlic, and salt. Set aside for up to 30 minutes.
- Make the sauce: Sauté onion in olive oil, then add peppers, chili, garlic, tomato paste, tomatoes, spices, and dendê oil. Cook until tomatoes break down.
- Simmer: Deglaze with broth, add coconut milk, and simmer until thickened. Stir in remaining dendê oil.
- Cook the fish: Add fish to the sauce, cook until just done, and season with cilantro.
- Serve: Ladle fish and broth over rice, garnish with lime wedges.
Notes
- If not using dendê oil, substitute with coconut oil or more olive oil.
- For a richer flavor, use fish or chicken stock; omit if unavailable but avoid using water.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: Approx. 380 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 510mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 90mg