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A bowl of stew with halibut in it.
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Moqueca (Brazilian Fish Stew)

Moqueca is a flavorful Brazilian fish stew with coconut milk and cilantro. Taught to me by my Brazilian friend Fernanda, this chunky, creamy and filling seafood soup is ready in 30 minutes and will become a family favorite.
Course Soup, stew
Cuisine Brazilian
Keyword Brazilian fish soup, Brazilian fish stew, coconut milk fish stew, fish soup with coconut milk, Moqueca recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 419kcal
Author Ksenia Prints

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1-2 pounds halibut cut into pieces, or other firm white fish like cod
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • ½ red onion chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper chopped
  • 2 celery stalks chopped
  • 1 14 ounce can diced tomatoes
  • Dende oil optional
  • 2 tablespoons peanut oil or other neutral oil
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 can coconut milk
  • 4 scallions chopped
  • ½ bunch cilantro chopped, plus more for serving
  • 2-4 lime wedges plus more for serving
  • Rice optional

Instructions

  • In a pot, sauté onion, celery, bell pepper and cook until softened.
  • If using dende oil, skip this stage! Otherwise, in a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of neutral or peanut oil with 1 teaspoon of paprika and 1 remaining garlic clove. Add salt and pepper to taste.
  • Add tomatoes, dende oil or paprika oil, salt and pepper. Simmer 5 minutes.
  • Remove half the vegetables from the pot. Add the fish on top of the veggies in the pot. Cover with remaining vegetables.
  • Reduce the heat and pour the coconut milk over the top, adding the creaminess to this coconut milk and seafood soup. Cook for 15 minutes.
  • Top with diced scallions and cilantro.
  • Season with lime juice.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning.
  • Serve moqueca immediately, with more lime wedges and cilantro. Moqueca can also be served over rice for a full meal.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 419kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 23g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 56mg | Sodium: 98mg | Potassium: 897mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1158IU | Vitamin C: 48mg | Calcium: 46mg | Iron: 2mg