On our first vacation day in Arrail do Cabo, on November 8, 2018, we laid down on one of the beach chairs at Praja dos Anjos and had lunch at “Tia Teresa”. This time, a typical comida brasileira, namely: bobo de camarão and bolinhos de bacalau.
The bobo de camarão is a sort of shrimp soup (camarão) usually served with boiled white rice or with pirão.
Typical of the state of Bahia, the first time we ate it was many years ago in Arrajal d’Ajuda; it is a very flavorful dish with extremely “Brazilian” tastes, typical of Afro-Brazilian cuisine, so not everyone may like it.
I find it exceptional! Tasty, flavorful, with tropical tastes and aromas.
In Brazil, palm oil is used, but since it’s not common in Italy, olive oil can be used as a substitute.
Palm oil gives a slightly orange tint to the soup, to recreate it, just add a pinch of turmeric or annatto.
- Difficulty: Medium
- Cost: Economical
- Preparation time: 30 Minutes
- Cooking methods: Stovetop, Boiling
- Cuisine: Brazilian
- Seasonality: All Seasons
Ingredients
- 2.2 lbs Shrimp (shelled)
- 2.2 lbs manioc (cut into pieces)
- 1 lemon (or lime)
- 4.2 cups bell pepper
- 1.3 cups coconut milk
- 2 cloves chopped garlic
- 2 onion
- 3 Tomatoes (ripe)
- to taste olive oil (and/or palm oil)
- 1 tbsp chopped coriander (alternatively parsley)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Pepper
Preparation
Wash the shrimp and season with salt, garlic, pepper, and lemon, let it marinate.
Cook the manioc cut into pieces in a pot covering it with water, with bay leaf and sliced onion.
When it is soft, add a cup of coconut milk.
Let it cool a bit and blend in a blender.
Heat the olive oil (or palm oil), add the thinly sliced onion and let it brown.
Add the shrimp.
Then add the tomato, parsley, bell pepper, and cook for a few minutes.
Finally, the blended manioc, and the rest of the coconut milk and 2 tablespoons of palm oil (optional).
Let it boil for 5-7 minutes more.
Serve with coriander or parsley.
The bobo de camarão is often served in a terracotta pot and accompanied by boiled white rice.
You can buy the most suitable pot online: “Colì Maioliche e Terrecotte dal 1650 Brunella” – Pot with Lid, Terracotta, Brown, 24×12 at 27.90 €
In the state of Espirito Santo, the bobo de camarão is prepared with olive oil instead of palm oil due to Italian influences.
