Brazilian Shrimp and Fish Stew (Moqueca)

Pepper Sauce

• 4 pickled hot cherry pepper (3 ounces)

• ½ onion, chopped coarse

• ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil

• ⅛ teaspoon sugar

• Salt

Stew

• 1 pound large shrimp (26 to 30 per pound), peeled, deveined, and tails removed

• 1 pound skinless cod fillets (¾ to 1 inch thick), cut into 1½-inch pieces

• 3 garlic cloves, minced

• Salt and pepper

• 1 onion, chopped coarse

• 1 (14.5-ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes

• ¾ cup chopped fresh cilantro

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

• 1 red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and cut into ½-inch pieces

• 1 green bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and cut into ½-inch pieces

• 1 (14-ounce) can coconut milk

• 2 tablespoons lime juice

For the pepper sauce: Process all ingredients in food processor until smooth, about 30 seconds, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Season with salt to taste and transfer to separate bowl. Rinse out processor bowl.

For the stew: Toss shrimp and cod with garlic, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper in bowl. Set aside.

Process onion, tomatoes and their juice, and ¼ cup cilantro in food processor until finely chopped and mixture has texture of pureed salsa, about 30 seconds.

Heat oil in large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add red and green bell peppers and ½ teaspoon salt and cook, stirring frequently, until softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Add onion-tomato mixture and ½ teaspoon salt. Reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring frequently, until puree has reduced and thickened slightly, 3 to 5 minutes (pot should not be dry).

Increase heat to high, stir in coconut milk, and bring to boil (mixture should be bubbling across entire surface). Add seafood mixture and lime juice and stir to evenly distribute seafood, making sure all pieces are submerged in liquid. Cover pot and remove from heat. Let stand until shrimp and cod are opaque and just cooked through, 15 minutes.

Gently stir in 2 tablespoons pepper sauce and remaining ½ cup cilantro, being careful not to break up cod too much. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve, passing remaining pepper sauce separately.

It was a perfect “entertaining meal” - friends over, you’ve done all the prep work, when you start to get hungry, heat up the base and toss in the seafood.

🍷 A vibrant, aromatic meal such as this begged to be paired with a spectacular, floral Viognier.