Bobo de Camarão

This is a traditional Brazilian cuisine known as “Bobo de Camarão.” It has African roots and it is mainly typical of the State of Bahia where a large number of African slaves concentrated during colonial times but it is largely found all over the nation ,everyone has a version of this dish. It is basically a mash of yucca roots, coconut milk and shrimp. It can be served over white rice or just by itself like a savory soup. Here is my version, enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds raw, peeled shrimp
• 1 lime
• 2 pounds yucca root
• 1/2 large onion finely chopped
• 4 cups vegetable or fish broth
• 4 large garlic cloves minced
• 4 ripped Roma tomatoes chopped
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 large red pepper finely chopped
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1 can coconut milk
• Bunch of chopped cilantro, parsley or basil
• Salt to taste
• 1 tsp crushed red pepper (optional)

Directions:

1. Place raw shrimp in a bowl with juice of 1 lime, set aside.
2. Peel yucca root, chop in cubes and place them in a pot. Add broth and bring to a boil, reduce heat and let them cook until very tender. Remove from heat and mash them. Set aside.
3. Heat olive oil in a big pot (an iron pot would be just perfect). Saute onions, tomatoes, peppers and garlic until soft. Add shrimp, when both sides turn pink add coconut milk, tomato paste and mashed yucca. Stir with a wood spoon.
4. Add salt to taste, crushed red pepper and let it simmer over a medium heat until bubbly.
5. Remove from heat and garnish with herbs.