Moqueca de camarão Recipe of Brazil | Brazilian Shrimp Stew Recipe

Moqueca de camarão is a delicious and popular Brazilian seafood dish, originating from the state of Bahia in northeastern Brazil. Moqueca de camarão is a flavorful and aromatic dish which is known for its rich combination of shrimp, coconut milk and various spices. Here's a recipe on how to make Moqueca de camarão:

If you like Brazilian recipe, you may try this:

1. Traditional Feijoada Recipe of Brazil

Ingredients of Moqueca de camarão:

• 1 pound (450g) of peeled and deveined large shrimp
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1finely chopped onion
• 3 minced cloves of garlic
• 1 thinly sliced red bell pepper
• 1 thinly sliced green bell pepper
• 2 chopped tomatoes
• 1 cup (240ml) of coconut milk
• 1/4 cup (60ml) of fish or shrimp stock
• 2 tablespoons of fresh chopped cilantro
• 2 tablespoons of fresh chopped parsley
• 1 teaspoon of paprika
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (you may adjust according to your taste)
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Lime or lemon wedges for garnish

Instructions of Making Moqueca de camarão:

• Marinate the prawns in a mix of garlic and lime juice for at least 30 minutes (the longer you can marinate, the better will be the taste).
• Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet or a traditional clay pot (if available) over medium heat.
• Add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Now sauté onion and garlic until they become translucent and aromatic.
• Stir in the bell peppers and continue to cook for a few more minutes until they begin to soften.
• Add the chopped tomatoes  and cook until they start to break down and release their juices.
• Sprinkle in the paprika and cayenne pepper, stir all evenly to distribute the spices.
• Now pour in the coconut milk and fish or shrimp stock. Mix all well and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
• Add the peeled and deveined marinated shrimp to the simmering sauce. Cook for about 5-10 minutes or until the color of shrimp turn pink and opaque. Remove your stew from the heat as soon as all the shrimp in the stew turn a nice pink color. Do not over cook the shrimp as it become rubbery due to over cooking.
• Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Adjust the spiciness with more cayenne pepper if you desire.
• Finally, stir in the chopped cilantro and parsley for added flavor and freshness.

Serving of Moqueca de camarão:

• Garnish with lime or lemon wedges and serve the Moqueca de camarão piping hot. It's traditionally accompanied by white rice and farofa (toasted cassava flour), but you can also serve it with a side of crusty bread.

Moqueca de camarão is a delightful dish that showcases the vibrant and diverse flavors of Brazilian cuisine and it's perfect for seafood lovers seeking a taste of coastal Brazil. 

Recipe Card

Cuisine: Brazilian, Course: Dinner, Prep Time: 30 minutes, Cooking Time: 40 minutes, Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes