Entree: Brazil – Sao Paulo – Moqueca Paulista (São Paulo-style fish stew braised in coconut milk, tomatoes, and herbs)

Serving Size: 4

Approximate Time

Prep 15 min

Cook 18 min

Additional 2 min

Total 35 min

Ingredients

- 2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil
- 4 firm white fish fillets, approx. 6 oz (170 g) each
- 1 tsp (5 g) kosher salt, or to taste
- 1/2 tsp (1 g) freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) lime juice
- 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced, approx. 8 oz (225 g)
- 1 red bell pepper, seeded and sliced, approx. 6 oz (170 g)
- 1 green bell pepper, seeded and sliced, approx. 6 oz (170 g)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced, approx. 9 g
- 3 medium ripe tomatoes, chopped, approx. 2 cups (400 g)
- 1 can 14 oz (400 ml) coconut milk
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) fish or light vegetable stock
- 1 tsp (5 g) paprika or smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp (0.5 g) crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) chopped fresh cilantro plus extra for garnish (approx. 8 g)
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) chopped scallions for garnish (approx. 12 g)
- Lime wedges, for serving

Instructions

1. Pat the fish fillets dry, season both sides with salt and pepper, and drizzle with lime juice. Set aside to marinate while you prepare the sauce.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large, wide sauté pan or shallow Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the sliced onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 6–8 minutes.
3. Add the minced garlic and sliced bell peppers; cook until softened, about 3–4 minutes more.
4. Stir in the chopped tomatoes and paprika, cook until tomatoes begin to break down, about 5 minutes. Pour in the coconut milk and stock, bring to a gentle simmer, and adjust salt and pepper. Add red pepper flakes if using.
5. Reduce heat to low and gently nestle the marinated fish fillets into the simmering sauce. Spoon some sauce over the tops, cover, and poach until fish is opaque and flakes easily, about 8–10 minutes depending on thickness.
6. When fish is cooked, stir in chopped cilantro and adjust seasoning. Remove from heat and let rest for 2 minutes.
7. Serve the moqueca Paulista hot with steamed rice, garnish with scallions and extra cilantro, and offer lime wedges on the side.