Salvador da Bahia Favorite Tips by sunlovey

give what you have to those in need....

Favorite thing: In Salvador you encounter people in need quite a bit.

Some are selling necklaces of wood or coconut for a small price, some are selling ice cold water for a real or two reals and some just walk up to you and ask for whatever it is you're eating or drinking...

Fondest memory: It's perfectly cool to just give it to them, be it ice cream, a bottle of water, some acaraje you just purchased from a street vendor... They are so grateful.

Moqueca de Camarao- food of the Candomble gods

Favorite thing: * 2 tablespoons dende oil
* 1 large onion, finely chopped
* 3 cloves garlic, crushed
* 2 pounds fresh medium sized prawns, shelled, deveined
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
* 4 large tomatoes, peeled seeded and chopped
* 2 tablespoons Italian parsley, chopped
* 1 teaspoon black pepper,
* 1 fresh red cayenne pepper
* 1 can coconut milk (14 fl oz)

Heat the oil (dende oil, palm oil found in some African specialized stores), and stir fry the onion until golden brown. Add the garlic and prawns. Stir fry for about 3 minutes. Add the salt, lemon juice, tomatoes, parsley, pepper, cayenne and coconut milk. Simmer for 10-15 minutes.

If you want to add fish to the moqueca, use sea bass, cut in small pieces, and cook it together with the coconut milk.

Fondest memory: I tried my hardest not to order this at every meal.... I did have it three times at three different restaurants though. It generally comes to you extremely hot in a cast iron skillet type thing with a side of coconut flavored rice. I want it right now. I bought the oil (dende) and brought it home to attempt making it myself.

image to come