Coconut-Spiced Vatapá Stew with Shrimp and Bread
A rich Brazilian stew featuring shrimp simmered in a creamy coconut and peanut sauce thickened with soaked bread, infused with warm spices. This brazilian-inspired seafood ready in about 45 minutes pairs dried shrimp, unsalted peanuts, crusts removed white bread for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 100 g dried shrimp
- 1/2 cup unsalted peanuts
- 4 slices, crusts removed white bread
- 400 ml coconut milk
- 1 medium, finely chopped onion
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp, grated ginger
- 1 small, diced red bell pepper
- 2 tbsp dende oil (palm oil)
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- 1/2 tsp cumin powder
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- to taste salt
- 300 g, peeled and deveined shrimp
Instructions
- Step 1: Soak 4 slices of white bread (crusts removed) in 200 ml of coconut milk for 15 minutes until softened.
- Step 2: In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast 1/2 cup unsalted peanuts for 3-4 minutes until golden and fragrant, then grind them coarsely.
- Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp dende oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add 1 medium finely chopped onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp grated ginger; sauté for 5 minutes until softened and aromatic.
- Step 4: Stir in 1 small diced red bell pepper, 1 tsp coriander powder, 1/2 tsp cumin powder, and 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper; cook for 2 minutes until spices bloom.
- Step 5: Add the soaked bread with coconut milk into the pan along with the ground peanuts, stirring to combine, and cook for 5 minutes until the mixture thickens.
- Step 6: Pour in the remaining 200 ml coconut milk and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Step 7: Add 300 g peeled and deveined shrimp and 100 g dried shrimp; cook for 6-8 minutes until shrimp turn pink and the sauce thickens, stirring occasionally.
- Step 8: Season with salt to taste and 1 tbsp fresh lime juice, then fold in 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro before serving warm.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Coconut-Spiced Vatapá Stew with Shrimp and Bread take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (20 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Coconut-Spiced Vatapá Stew with Shrimp and Bread?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep dried shrimp from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Coconut-Spiced Vatapá Stew with Shrimp and Bread?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Coconut-Spiced Vatapá Stew with Shrimp and Bread for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Coconut-Spiced Vatapá Stew with Shrimp and Bread?
Brazilian seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
