Moqueca

A coconut-milk fish stew from Bahia, bright with dendê oil, peppers and cilantro, cooked in a clay pot. Ingredients: white fish, shrimp, coconut milk, dendê (palm) oil, onion, tomato, bell pepper, cilantro, lime, garlic, salt. Recipe: 1) Marinate fish in lime, garlic and salt. 2) Layer onion, tomato and peppers in a clay pot. 3) Add fish, coconut milk and dendê oil. 4) Simmer covered about 20 minutes until the fish flakes. Serve: with rice and pirão (manioc porridge). History: an Afro-Brazilian coastal classic; Bahia's version (with dendê and coconut milk) and Espírito Santo's (without) are friendly rivals.