Best 3 Dende Oil Substitute Recipes

Enrich any dish with the vibrant flavors and distinctive aroma of West African cuisine using a flavorful substitute for dende oil. Discover a versatile selection of alternatives ranging from readily available ingredients like palm oil, olive oil, and vegetable oil to exotic options like achiote oil and annatto oil. Each substitute offers a unique twist on the original dende oil, providing a range of flavors and colors to suit your culinary preferences. Explore the diverse recipes within this article, where you'll find step-by-step instructions for creating delicious dishes that capture the essence of West African cuisine.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

MOQUECA (BRAZILIAN SEAFOOD STEW)

Moqueca (Brazilian Seafood Stew) image

Moqueca hails from the state of Bahia in northeastern Brazil, the heart of Afro-Brazilian culture and its rich culinary heritage. Built on the freshest seafood you can find, moqueca delivers a creamy, spicy richness with just a few central ingredients. The dish begins with a base of sautéed garlic, onion, tomatoes and sweet peppers. A fresh chile adds heat that will linger gently, and coconut milk gives the stew body. Red palm oil (azeite de dendê in Portuguese) acts as the glue that holds this dish together. There is no substitute for its characteristic floral, smokelike flavor and vibrant orange sheen. Serve moqueca hot, alongside steamed white rice, farofa de pilão (made from manioc flour toasted in dendê oil), pirão (a creamy porridge made from cooking manioc flour in a fish or meat stock) and lime wedges for a bright finish.

Provided by Yewande Komolafe

Categories dinner, weekday, soups and stews, main course

Time 40m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

6 head-on prawns or large head-on shrimp (about 12 ounces)
12 ounces cod fillet, cut into 1-inch pieces
Kosher salt
2 limes
3 tablespoons dendê oil (red palm oil; see Note)
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 small yellow onion, chopped (1 cup)
8 ounces sweet baby bell peppers or 2 bell peppers, any color, sliced into 1/4-inch strips (2 cups)
1 pound fresh tomatoes, cut in 1-inch-wide wedges (2 1/2 cups)
1 whole hot chile, such as red Scotch bonnet or bird's-eye, pierced all over with the tip of a knife
1 (13.5-ounce) can full-fat coconut milk
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Steamed rice, for serving

Steps:

Use a pair of kitchen scissors to cut along the length of each prawn deep enough to expose and remove the vein. Place the fish chunks in a large bowl and season with 1 teaspoon salt. Squeeze in the juice of 1 lime and toss to coat. Set the prawns and fish aside while preparing the sauce.
In a large, shallow Dutch oven or large, deep skillet, melt 2 tablespoons dendê oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until softened and fragrant, 1 minute. Add the onion, stir and cook, stirring until translucent, about 2 minutes.
Increase the heat to high, add the peppers, tomatoes and chile. Season with salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until the peppers are softened and any liquid from the tomatoes is beginning to evaporate, 4 minutes.
Pour in the coconut milk, stir and reduce the heat to medium. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the liquid thickens and reduces to a creamy sauce, about 10 minutes. Taste, adjust the salt, if necessary, and stir in 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro.
Carefully place the prawns in the sauce in a single layer and cook for 2 minutes. Turn the prawns to cook the other sides and add the cod. (Discard any juices in the bowl.) The fish will be partly submerged. Cook until the fish is tender and just cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes.
Remove from heat, drizzle in the remaining 1 tablespoon dendê oil and sprinkle with the remaining 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro. Slice the remaining lime into wedges. Serve immediately, with steamed rice and lime wedges for squeezing.

MOQUECA DE PEIXE

Moqueca de Peixe image

Provided by Food Network

Categories main-dish

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 22

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, cut into 1/4inch dice
1 red bell pepper, cored, seeded, and cut into 1/4inch dice
1 green bell pepper, cored, seeded, and cut into 1/4inch dice
1 yellow bell pepper, cored, seeded, and cut into 1/4inch dice
2 plum tomatoes, seeded and cut into 1/4inch dice
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 serrano chiles, stemmed, seeded, and minced
3 cups fish stock or bottled clam juice
1 can (14 1/2 ounce) canned coconut milk
6 green onions, white and light green parts only, finely sliced
1 pound sea scallops
1 pound monkfish fillets, cut into 1inch cubes
1 pound rock shrimp, shelled and deveined
Juice of 1 lime
2 tablespoons dende oil (see Note)
1/3 cup loosely packed cilantro leaves, coarsely chopped
1/3 cup unsweetened coconut shards, lightly toasted, for garnish
2 limes, flesh cut into supremes and diced
Fried plantains, for serving (optional)
Cooked white rice, for serving (optional)

Steps:

Heat a large castiron and enamel or other heavy casserole over low heat and add the olive oil. Sweat the onion and peppers together for about 5 minutes, or until nicely softened. Add the tomatoes, salt, pepper, and chiles and cook for 2 minutes more. Add the fish stock and coconut milk and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the peppers are tender. Add the green onions and all the fish, cover, and cook for 5 to 7 minutes more, stirring together gently twice during the cooking time. Add the lime juice, dende oil, and cilantro and simmer for 5 minutes more. Serve in large heated bowls, sprinkled with the toasted coconut and diced limes. Offer fried plantains and white rice on the side, if desired.

BRAZILIAN SHRIMP STEW

Brazilian Shrimp Stew image

Categories Shellfish Tomato Sauté Stew Coconut Shrimp Bell Pepper Winter Gourmet

Yield Makes 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

1 1/4 lb large shrimp in shell (21 to 25 per lb), peeled and deveined
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 (14- to 15-oz) can diced tomatoes including juice
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 green bell pepper, finely chopped
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
5 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
1 cup well-stirred canned unsweetened coconut milk
1 tablespoon dendê (palm) oil*
Accompaniment: cooked white rice

Steps:

Toss shrimp with black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon salt, garlic, and lemon juice and marinate, covered and chilled, 20 minutes.
Purée tomatoes with juice in a blender until smooth.
Cook onion and bell pepper in olive oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately low heat, stirring, until softened, 8 to 10 minutes. Add cayenne, 1 tablespoon cilantro, and remaining teaspoon salt and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add tomato purée and simmer briskly, stirring, until mixture is very thick, about 15 minutes. Stir in coconut milk and bring to a boil, then add shrimp mixture and cook, stirring, until shrimp are just cooked through, about 3 to 5 minutes.
Stir in dendê oil and remaining 4 tablespoons cilantro and season with salt and pepper.
Available at Brazilian and West African markets and Kalustyan's (800-352-3451).

Tips:

Look for a substitute with a similar flavor and consistency to palm oil. Some good substitutes include coconut oil, olive oil, or avocado oil.
Use a neutral-tasting oil, such as vegetable oil or canola oil, if you don't want to alter the flavor of your dish.
Be careful not to use too much oil, as it can make your dish greasy.
If you're using a substitute that is solid at room temperature, such as coconut oil, you can melt it before using it.
If you're unsure how much of a substitute to use, start with a small amount and add more as needed.

Conclusion:

There are many different substitutes for palm oil that you can use in your cooking. When choosing a substitute, consider the flavor, consistency, and smoke point of the oil. You should also keep in mind your personal preferences and dietary restrictions. With a little experimentation, you can find a substitute that you love and that works well in your favorite recipes.