Abará

Delight in the authentic flavors of Bahia with Abará, a cousin to the famous Acarajé. Instead of frying, this dish is steamed, enveloped in banana leaves to retain its rich, savory essence. Abará is a perfect blend of black-eyed peas, dry shrimp, and a medley of nuts and spices, making it an exquisite street food or appetizer that captures the heart of Bahian cuisine.

Ingredients

🌰 600g Feijão Fradinho paste from ground black-eyed peas
🥜 100g Amendoim torrado roasted peanuts
🌰 100g Castanha cashew nuts
🍤 100g Camarão seco dried shrimp, shelled and deveined
🧅 1 medium Cebola onion, cut into pieces
🧄 10g Gengibre ginger, approximately a 2cm piece
🦐 80ml Azeite de dendê palm oil
🧂 1½ teaspoons Sal salt
🍃 7 pieces of Folha de bananeira banana leaves or aluminum foil

Instructions

1- Preparation:

• Start by ensuring your shrimp is shelled and deveined. Chop the onion and peel the ginger.
• Pre-soak the banana leaves in water to make them pliable.

2- Spice Mixture:

• In a blender or food processor, combine chopped onion, dried shrimp, roasted peanuts, cashews, and ginger. Blend until a thick paste is formed.
• Gradually add half of the palm oil to the mixture while blending. If needed, use the remaining oil or add a small amount of water for consistency.

3- Mix the Main Ingredients:

• In a large glass mixing bowl, combine the black-eyed pea paste with the blended spice mixture.
• Add 1 level teaspoon of salt and mix well using a wooden spoon, ensuring the blend is uniform in color and texture.

4- Taste and Adjust:

• To assess the seasoning, microwave a small portion wrapped in banana leaf for one minute. Taste and add the remaining ½ teaspoon of salt if necessary.

5- Prepare for Steaming:

• Fill the Tramontina pot with enough water to sit below the steamer basket, about 3cm deep. Bring the water to a boil.

6- Wrap and Shape the Abará:

• Place approximately 85g of the mixture onto a soaked banana leaf. Fold the sides inward, then fold the ends to enclose the mixture securely. Repeat for all portions.

7- Steaming:

• Arrange the wrapped Abará in the steamer basket with seams down.
• Steam the Abará for 30-35 minutes on medium heat until firm.

8- Check for Doneness:

• Insert a knife; if it comes out clean, the Abará is ready.

9- Serving:

• Open the steamed Abará and fill it with vatapá, vinaigrette, and cooked shrimp for an authentic Bahian experience.

Prep Time: 15-20 minutes
Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
Total Time: 45-55 minutes
Servings: Yields 7 Abará units
Equipment:

• Blender/Food Processor: Red, brand unspecified
• Mixing Bowl: Clear glass
• Wooden Spoon
• Spatula
• Pot: Red with stainless steel interior, Tramontina
• Steamer basket/insert: Metal
• Knife
• Measuring Cups/Spoons: White cups

Cooking Tips

• Use palm oil over water to maintain authenticity and richness. Only use water sparingly if necessary.
• If black-eyed pea paste is unavailable, consider making it from scratch following related recipes.

#abarabahia #bahianfood #steamed #authenticflavor #blackeyedpeas

Nandu Andrade: https://www.youtube.com/@NanduAndrade

#nanduandrade

Abará

Posted by Waivio guest: @waivio_hivecooking