Shrimp and Peanut Sauce/Vatapá

Shrimp and Peanut Sauce/Vatapá 
 
Vatapá is a must-have for Brazilian diners in Bahia, a state in eastern Brazil. Rich and heavily spiced, it is often served with white rice as an accompaniment to many dishes. Look for dried shrimp, one of the crucial ingredients, at Asian or Latin American markets. Serve with farofa and white rice.

Ingredients

1 large loaf Italian or French bread, dried in a paper bag at room temperature for three days 
1/2 cup dried shrimp, shelled 
1/2 cup mixed raw (not roasted), unsalted peanuts and cashews, roughly chopped 
1 1/2-in. piece fresh gingerroot, peeled and coarsely chopped
1 onion, chopped
1/2 cup dendê or peanut oil
1 cup coconut milk
1 tbsp. fresh cilantro
salt to taste
preserved malagueta pepper or hot pepper sauce to taste (you can substitue it with hot sauce)*
 

Instructions:

1. Tear bread into chunks and soak in water in a large bowl for at least an hour. Remove and squeeze dry.

2. Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender and process until the mixture is pastelike.

3. Transfer mixture to a medium-sized saucepan and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, for 10 to 15 minutes, or until smooth and creamy. If the mixture is too thick, stir in a little bit of water.
Preparation time: 10 to 15 minutes
Cooking time: 10 to 15 minutes
Serves 4 to 6

EGG SALAD

EGG SALAD

Ingredients:

6 Eggs

1 Lettuce

1 bunch Watercress

Mayonnaise or Salad Dressing

1 Beetroot

Instructions:

1. Put the eggs into boiling water and boil fifteen minutes.
2. Plunge into cold water till quite cold, peel and cut into quarters.
3. Wash and cleanse the watercress and lettuce and cut into pieces.
4. Put a layer of this at the bottom of the bowl, then one of eggs dipped in the dressing, then another of lettuce and egg until all are used up, leaving plenty of lettuce for the top.
5. Garnish with sprigs of watercress and slices of beetroot alternately.
6. Now you’re done with your delectable egg salad masterpiece!

This is my first post and it is remembering me one special person in my life, my Mom. When I was a child I used to have this kind of dessert and I love it. My Mom is handing me a bowl of egg salad and said that it is my favorite salad food when I was 5 years old but I insisted and I told her that it’s not. It’s kinda weird that the more I am convincing her, the faster I consume the bowl of egg salad.