The Spiced Life

Musings & Recipes From My Kitchen

  • Home
  • About Me
  • FAQ
  • Dishes By Region
  • Archive and Index
  • Creative Cookie Exchange
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
You are here: Home / Brazilian / Brazilian Mahi Mahi Stew

Brazilian Mahi Mahi Stew

July 1, 2010 By Laura 6 Comments

Sharing is caring!

  • Facebook
  • Yummly
  • Twitter
  • Email


Before I forget (because I already forgot once and posted this recipe without it), be sure to check out my essay “Shelling Peas & Snapping Beans“at Flavorful Memories. Leslie runs a business and keeps a beautiful blog dedicated to preserving memories through and about food.

This fish stew was a big leap forward for our family in terms of how we approach seafood. I cannot explain why, at least not in any rational, reasonable manner, but John and I both have always been turned off by the idea of fish stew. Maybe I did not believe it would hold its shape, and instead would dissolve into a pile of mush. Maybe I worried it would taste like the shrimp boils of the deep South, which I have never cared for. Whatever the reason I had avoided them.

The pictures from the first night, without zucchini and tomatoes, are nicer because 2 nights of simmering caused the coconut milk to separate a bit and the pics have cayenne pepper sprinkled on the dish, which also caused it to look a little funky. However, these pics from the second night do reflect how I would make the dish the next time, i.e., with additional veggies.

Having said all that you are probably wondering why I tried this recipe, and there is no good answer other than I felt I should. It was just time to find out if we were right.

Boy were we wrong. Everyone loved this.

This stew actually comes from a casserole book, and I guess it depends on your definition of casserole as to whether it it is a casserole or a stew. To me (but obviously not to the author of the book) a casserole should be able to be eaten as is, with no additional components, and it also should not be very soupy. This fails on both counts because it is soupy and it needs to be served with rice. In my book that is a stew, so I changed the name. I also added (the second night–the recipe made so much broth that I made the dish with fresh fish and veggies in the same broth the second night) sliced zucchini rounds and wedges of fresh, local tomatoes–and I would keep these changes the next time I make this.

And yes if you are wondering there will be a next time. And you can also expect to see more experimentation with braised or stewed fish in the future on this blog.


A note about the oil: According to Wright, the dendê oil is important but difficult to find, so he suggests a walnut oil based sub. I had neither, so after thinking about the other flavors, I used half olive oil and half Styrian pumpkin seed oil, which has a very strong, almost nutty flavor, with some paprika mixed it. I cannot speak for its authenticity, but the sub worked fine.


Brazilian Mahi Mahi Stew
 
Print
Adapted from Bake Until Bubbly, Clifford A. Wright
Author: TheSpicedLife
Recipe type: Entree
Cuisine: stew
Ingredients
  • 2 T red palm (dendê) oil or sub walnut oil w/ pinch paprika or sub 1 T olive oil mixed with 1 T Styrian pumpkin seed oil w/ pinch of paprika
  • 2 medium onions, roughly chopped
  • 1½ lbs tomatoes, seeds gently squeezed out (I was not thorough), cut into wedges (the more freshly picked the better)
  • 6 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
  • 1 fresh hot pepper, chopped, optional (we just used cayenne on the finished dish)
  • 2 lbs mahi mahi, cut into sized sized chunks (can sub yellowtail or sea bass)
  • 1 14 oz can coconut milk
  • 2-3 T freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 2 T chopped flat leaf parsley or cilantro (I used cilantro)
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 small-medium zucchini, sliced into moderately thick rounds
  • 2-3 small-medium sized tomatoes, sliced into wedges
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 F.
  2. Place the onion, tomatoes, garlic and chile pepper (if using) in a blender and puree until smooth. Set aside.
  3. The original recipe of course calls for a stovetop-safe casserole dish; I used a large oven-safe skillet. However, for the recipe as written, I think a 5-6 quart Dutch oven would work best. Whichever pan you choose, make sure it is safe on the stove and in the oven. Heat it up over medium heat, adding the oil when it gets hot. Add the paprika (if using) and when the oil shimmers, add the onion-tomato mixture.
  4. Cook for 5 minutes at a brisk simmer and add the zucchini. Cook until the zucchini are getting tender but are still firm. Mix in the coconut milk, lemon juice, parsley or cilantro and salt/pepper to taste. Add the fish and the tomato wedges and mix gently. Cover firmly with foil or with a heavy lid and place in the oven. Bake until the fish begins to flake, about 15 minutes. Serve with a fluffy long grain rice such as Basmati.
3.2.2708

 

For another take on Brazilian seafood stew with coconut milk, be sure to check out my Moqueca with Potatoes and Mushrooms!:

Moqueca: Brazilian Seafood Stew of Mahi Mahi, Pacific Cod and Shrimp

 

Filed Under: Brazilian, coconut milk, fish, seafood, South American dishes, tomatoes

« Blueberry Peach Crisp
White Bean Soup with Roasted Tomatoes & Balsamic Vinegar »

Comments

  1. Jeanette says

    July 1, 2010 at 3:40 pm

    I have to say I have never tried anything like this, the closest would be a low country boil. It looks wonderful but I am afraid of trying new things with seafood! LOL

    Reply
  2. Jennifurla says

    July 1, 2010 at 3:52 pm

    It looks wonderful

    Reply
  3. Tangled Noodle says

    July 1, 2010 at 4:33 pm

    I love all manner of stew-y, soup-y dishes, so this looks absolutely delicious to me! It's got such a warm, creamy look to it and served over rice, it's positively irresistible.

    One suggestion: dende oil can be found in some African grocery stores.

    Reply
  4. Amy says

    July 1, 2010 at 10:47 pm

    I'd be very interested to hear how it is with the dende oil. Every time I read a Brazilian book they are talking about it. Clearly it's a seriously important part of the cuisine.

    Reply
  5. Joanne says

    July 2, 2010 at 5:25 am

    I've made something similar to this with salmon instead of mahi mahi and it was fantastic! I didn't think I would like it either but…boy did I like it.

    Reply
  6. Cook with Madin says

    July 3, 2010 at 5:50 pm

    The fish stew looks great. I would rally love to try cook them.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Rate this recipe:  

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Hi! I’m Laura and I am a recovering history major who has re-channeled all of my passion for learning about the history of different countries to learning about their food culture. That doesn’t mean every dish on here is strictly authentic, but it does mean that even my adaptations are not undertaken lightly. My goal is to show you–by doing–that these dishes are possible in your kitchen. Including desserts because I have quite the sweet tooth! Read More…

Twitter Facebook Pinterest Instagram
Enter your email here and never miss a post!

Popular Posts

  • Restaurant Style Beef Vindaloo
  • Taralli Dolci di Pasqua (Southern Italian Easter Cookies): #CreativeCookieExchange
  • Mexican Ramen Bowl
  • Grandma’s Beef and Noodles
  • New Orleans Style Pain Perdu (French Toast)
  • Saag Gosht (Beef in Fragrant Spinach Sauce)
  • Middle Eastern Scrambled Eggs with Meat and Onion: Review of An Edible Mosaic
  • Moroccan Inspired Couscous Bowl with Ground Beef, Veggies and Caramelized Onions (redux)
  • Goan Influenced Goat Stew in the Slow Cooker
  • North Indian Baked Eggs: Review of Seven Spoons

Copyright © 2008–2023 The Spiced Life