Skip to main content

Shrimp in Yuca Coconut Purée

5.0

(10)

Bobó de Camarão

Though folding the shrimp into the purée is traditional in Brazil, we placed it on top for a prettier presentation.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    1 1/4 hr

  • Yield

    Makes 6 servings

Ingredients

For yuca purée

1 (16- to 18-oz) bag frozen peeled yuca*, not thawed
4 cups water
1 medium onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, chopped
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 cup well-stirred canned unsweetened coconut milk (8 fl oz)

For shrimp

2 lb large shrimp in shell (21 to 25 per lb), peeled and deveined, reserving shells
3 cups water
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
1 lb fresh tomatoes, chopped
4 bottled red malagueta peppers or 1- to 2-inch fresh red Thai chiles*
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons dendê oil** (optional)

Preparation

  1. Make yuca purée:

    Step 1

    Bring yuca, water, onion, garlic, and 1/2 teaspoon salt to a boil in a 3-quart saucepan, then reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until yuca is very tender, 10 to 15 minutes.

    Step 2

    Drain in a colander. When yuca is cool enough to handle, remove any stringy fibrous cores and transfer mixture to a food processor. Add coconut milk and remaining teaspoon salt and purée until very smooth, about 1 minute. Transfer to a bowl and keep warm, covered, until ready to serve.

  2. Make shrimp broth:

    Step 3

    While yuca cooks, simmer shrimp shells in water with 1/2 teaspoon salt in a 1 1/2- to 2-quart saucepan, uncovered, until liquid is reduced to about 2 cups, about 20 minutes. Pour shrimp broth through a sieve into a bowl, discarding shells.

  3. Step 4

    Purée green bell pepper in cleaned food processor until smooth, about 1 minute.

    Step 5

    Heat olive oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then add pepper purée, onion, garlic, and 1/2 teaspoon salt (mixture will splatter) and sauté, stirring occasionally, until mixture starts to brown, 6 to 10 minutes. Add tomatoes, malagueta peppers or Thai chiles (if using), and 1 cup shrimp broth (reserve remainder for another use) and simmer, stirring occasionally, until liquid is reduced by half, about 6 minutes.

    Step 6

    Toss shrimp with remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and add to tomato mixture. Cook, stirring frequently, until shrimp are just cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes.

    Step 7

    Remove from heat and stir in cilantro and dendê oil (if using). Serve shrimp over yuca purée.

  4. Step 8

    *Available at some Latino markets.

    Step 9

    **Available at some Latino markets and sendexnet.com.

Read More
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Put that half-full tub to use with recipes that go beyond the Italian American classics.
This one-pot dinner cooks chicken thighs directly on top of a bed of flavorful cilantro rice studded with black beans for a complete dinner.
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
This easy, one-skillet chicken stroganoff features tender chicken breasts, savory mushrooms, and a creamy Dijon-crème fraîche sauce—perfect for weeknights.
Like Sri Lankan cashew curry and vegan stuffed shells.
Use this simple vinaigrette to dress a plate of greens, some steamed potatoes, or anything else that strikes your fancy.
Filberts, goobers, scaly bark nuts: Explore the world beyond almonds in this guide.