Vegan Moqueca de Legumes
Moqueca is the iconic slow‑cooked stew from Brazil’s coastal regions, famous for its rich, aromatic blend of coconut milk, bright peppers, tomatoes, and warm spices. This fully vegan version replaces seafood with hearty, tender vegetables, keeping every bit of that signature creamy, savoury, and gently spiced flavour. It is colourful, comforting, deeply satisfying, and traditionally served with white rice and toasted farofa — capturing all the soul of Bahian cooking without any animal products.
Shared by katty
Time
45 min
Serves
4
Difficulty
easy
đź›’ Ingredients
- #Vegetables;
- 300g hearts of palm, sliced into thick rounds
- 2 medium potatoes or sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced into strips... 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced into strips
- 2 ripe tomatoes, chopped or wedged... 1 small onion, sliced into rings
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 small aubergine or courgette, cut into chunks (optional)
- #Sauce & Seasoning;
- 400ml full‑fat coconut milk
- 2 tbsp dendĂŞ oil (Brazilian palm oil) or extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp sweet paprika,, ½ tsp ground cumin
- Salt and black pepper to taste,, 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
- Fresh coriander and parsley, chopped
👩‍🍳 Instructions
- 1
Sauté aromatics: Heat dendê or olive oil in a wide, heavy pot over medium heat. Cook onion until soft, then add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- 2
Layer vegetables: Add peppers, potatoes, tomatoes, and aubergine/courgette (if using). Sprinkle with paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. Stir gently, then cover and cook for 5 minutes until vegetables start to soften.
- 3
Simmer: Pour in coconut milk and lime juice. Bring to a gentle simmer, then lower heat, cover, and cook for 15–20 minutes until potatoes are tender and the sauce has thickened slightly.
- 4
Finish: Add hearts of palm in the last 5 minutes so they stay firm and fresh. Stir in most of the fresh herbs. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- 5
Serve: Garnish with extra herbs and a squeeze of lime. Enjoy hot with fluffy white rice and crispy farofa.