Peixe Grelhado com Molho de Cacau e Pimento
Grilled fish (often barracuda or snapper) marinated in piri-piri and served with a unique sauce made from cocoa powder, tomatoes, onions, and peppers. This dish highlights the coastal bounty and the use of local ingredients.
🧂 Ingredients
- 2 kg Whole fish (e.g., barracuda, snapper)(cleaned and scaled)
- 4 medium Piri-piri peppers(finely chopped (adjust to spice preference))
- 6 cloves Garlic cloves(minced)
- 0.5 cup Lemon juice
- 0.25 cup Olive oil
- 1 tsp Salt
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper
- 400 g Tomatoes(diced)
- 1 large Onion(chopped)
- 1 medium Bell pepper(chopped (any color))
- 2 tbsp Cocoa powder(unsweetened)
- 1 cup Chicken or fish stock
- 1 Bay leaf
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the marinade: In a bowl, combine chopped piri-piri, minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
- 2
Marinate the fish: Score the fish a few times on each side. Place the fish in a large dish or resealable bag and pour the marinade over it, ensuring it's well coated. Marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator.
- 3
Prepare the sauce: While the fish marinates, heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and bell pepper and sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- 4
Add the diced tomatoes and cocoa powder to the saucepan. Stir well to combine and cook for another 5 minutes.
- 5
Pour in the chicken or fish stock, add the bay leaf, and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let the sauce cook for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
- 6
Grill the fish: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grill grates.
- 7
Grill the fish for about 10-15 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until cooked through and flaky. Baste with any remaining marinade during grilling.
- 8
Serve: Remove the bay leaf from the sauce. Serve the grilled fish hot, generously spooning the cocoa-pepper sauce over the top. This dish is traditionally served with rice.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Adjust the amount of piri-piri to your desired level of heat.
- ✓Ensure the cocoa powder is unsweetened for the best flavor profile.
- ✓If grilling indoors, use a grill pan over medium-high heat.
🔄 Variations
- Add a splash of lime juice to the sauce for extra brightness.
- Incorporate other vegetables like okra or sweet potatoes into the sauce.
- Use shrimp or chicken instead of fish.