Cuisine : Acaraje - How to prepare this popular Brazilian street food

 

Acarajé is a popular Brazilian street food, particularly associated with the Bahia region. It's a deep-fried black-eyed pea fritter filled with various flavorful ingredients. Here's a detailed recipe:

Ingredients:

**For the Acarajé:**

- 2 cups black-eyed peas, soaked overnight

- 1 small onion, finely chopped

- 2 cloves garlic, minced

- Salt to taste

- Vegetable oil for frying

**For the Filling:**

- Dried shrimp, soaked in water

- Caruru (a okra-based condiment)

- Vatapá (a rich, spicy paste made with bread, shrimp, peanuts, and coconut milk)

- Sliced tomatoes

- Chopped cilantro or parsley

Instructions:

1. Rinse the soaked black-eyed peas and remove the skins by rubbing them between your hands. Place the peeled peas in a blender or food processor.

2. Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, and salt to the peas. Blend until you achieve a smooth, thick batter. If necessary, add a little water to help with the blending.

3. Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan or pot for frying.

4. Using a spoon or your hands, shape the batter into small, round patties and carefully slide them into the hot oil. Fry until golden brown on both sides.

5. Once cooked, remove the acarajé from the oil and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.

6. To assemble, carefully cut the acarajé in half horizontally, creating a pocket.

7. Fill the pocket with vatapá, caruru, dried shrimp, sliced tomatoes, and chopped herbs.

8. Serve the acarajé warm. It's often enjoyed as a snack or street food.

Note: The filling ingredients can vary, and some variations may include hot pepper sauce for extra spice. Adjust the filling components to suit your taste preferences.