Authentic Moqueca Baiana Recipe Bahia, Brazil

Originating from the northeastern Brazilian state of Bahia, moqueca baiana is a fusion dish, a result of European, African, and Indigenous influences. It is traditionally prepared in a clay pot and made with white fish, shrimp, dendê palm oil, coconut milk, peppers, onions, tomatoes, lime juice, garlic, and cilantro. Different preparation methods exist, but almost all start with marinating the fish. The vegetables can either be sautéed before the fish is added or arranged in the pot with the fish, and the two are then cooked together from the start. The coconut milk is generally added near the end of cooking, as are shrimps since they cook pretty fast. The finished stew is typically served with rice and farofa.