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Some pointers

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If palm nut oil is unavailable
Use olive oil. Also substitute 12 centiliters (1/2 cup) pureed tomatoes for the 6 centiliters (1/4) cup of the water in step 7 - this gives the dish some of its characteristic reddish hue that would otherwise have been imparted by the palm nut oil.

When handling chili peppers
Do not touch your eyes. Thoroughly wash the knife blade, your hands, and the work surface when you complete the cutting task.

Chili hotness
Adjust the quantity of chili according to your degree of built-up immunity to that spice but, remember, Vatapa is supposed to be hot.

Halibut substitutes
They include cod and striped sea bass.

Coconut milk
Do not let it boil for even a second throughout the recipe.

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Serving Suggestions

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Thickening
Ladle your Vatapa into shallow soup bowls. By the time the preparation is cooked, it will have the consistency of a thin porridge.

Traditional accompaniments
Serve Vatapa with pirao de arroz com leite de coco, a cold pudding made with rice flour and coconut milk. Plain rice served steaming hot is also popular. Cold beer is the preferred alcoholic beverage for Vatapa.

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Variations

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Shrimp
Add some shelled and deveined fresh shrimp to the recipe 1 or 2 minutes after you add the fish in step 8.

Tomatoes
Use them whether or not you use palm nut oil.

Nuts
Substitute almonds or cashew nuts for the peanuts. Brazil nuts can be used, too.

Extra ingredients
Experiment by adding ginger and other flavoring agents. Diced sweet green peppers lend color contrast.

Cornmeal
In place of it, use manioc, rice flour, cornstarch, or bread crumbs to thicken the dish.

Meat substitution
Use pork or chicken as the main ingredient.

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Quick menu

Vatapa - RECIPE
Vatapa - COOKING TIPS
Vatapa - INSIGHTS
What peasant cooking IS & IS NOT
Great Peasant Dishes - HOME PAGE
World Cuisines - HOME PAGE

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