Moqueca | Brazilian Fish Stew

Moqueca Recipe  | How to make Brazilian Fish Stew

Fish in any style is my favorite. Moqueca is a one-pot recipe that can be cooked in minutes- a soup-meal you can never deny! Try out the recipe below and let us know your comments. 

Author: Racheal D'Souza

A dish as old as 300 years where the fish is cooked with tomatoes, onions, garlic, parsley, coconut milk and lime. The rare use of plantain to this version of Moqueca (Pronounced as Mow-key-ka) celebrates the coastal flavors in this dish. 

There are many versions to this dish. The one in Northern parts of Brazil has an African influence while the one in South has been influenced by Portuguese and Spanish flavors. In this recipe, I have made an amalgamation of both these versions. 

The stew has been prepared with two of my favorite kinds of seafood- Shrimp and Cod. But please feel free to substitute those for your favorite kind!

Ingredients

Plantain/ Raw banana- 2  (optional)

Shrimp/ Prawn- 1 lb (can use any variety of fish)

Cod- 0.75 lb  (can use any variety of fish)

Garlic cloves-  3 units, chopped

Lemon- 1/2 

Olive oil- 2 tbs

Onion: 1, chopped

Dried parsley- 1 tsp

Smoked Paprika / chili powder- 1 tsp

Chili flakes- ½ tsp

Bell pepper -3, chopped (any)

Carrot- 1, shredded

Tomato- 1, chopped

Green onion/ Scallion- 1, chopped (along with green leaves and the bulb)

Fish stock/ Any other stock/ Water: 1.5 cups

Coconut milk- 1 cup

Fresh cream- ½ cup

Seasoning

Salt

Pepper

 

How to make Moqueca

1. Optional - Before you begin, bake plantains for 20 mins with the skin at 450F. This makes it easier to peel-off the skin. Now chop it and keep it aside.

2. Marinate the fish with half of the chopped garlic clove, lemon juice, salt and black pepper. Refrigerate until use.

3. In a pan, add olive oil and onion and cook until it turns translucent. 

4. Add in  remaining chopped garlic cloves, tsp dried parsley, smoked paprika, salt, some black pepper and chili flakes.

5. Add in bell peppers and carrot and cook for a minute. Add tomato and green onion.

6. Add in fish stock and mix everything well. 

7. Now cover the pot with a lid and cook for 5 min on medium flame.

8. Add in the previously chopped plantain and cook for additional 5 minutes. (Skip if not using plantain)

9. Pour in coconut milk and allow it to boil.

10. Now finally add the marinated fish and slowly stir in.  Stir again after 2 min carefully not breaking the fish pieces.

11. Cover the lid and cook for another 5 minutes at high flame.

12. Add fresh cream and allow it to boil. Turn off the flame.

13. Finish off with some more lime juice and garnish with parsley and peppers.

14. Serve with hot steamed rice. 

Watch: Moqueca The video will show you a step-by-step guide on how to make this very simple Moqueca Recipe in a single pot.