Brazil on your plate: Cook acaraje with tomato at home
Acaraje, deeply rooted in Bahia's Afro-Brazilian culture, is a traditional dish from West Africa. This vegetarian and eggless delight reached Brazil via the transatlantic slave trade. More than just food, acaraje symbolizes culture, served by Baianas in traditional attire. It consists of deep-fried black-eyed peas balls with spicy tomato relish. Ready for this culinary journey? Let's start cooking.
Gather the following ingredients
For the acaraje, gather two cups of black-eyed peas (soaked overnight and skins removed), one small onion (chopped), salt to taste, and oil for frying. For the tomato relish, arrange for two large tomatoes (finely chopped), one small onion (finely chopped), one green chili (finely chopped, optional for heat), one tablespoon of lime juice, a handful of cilantro (chopped), and some salt and pepper to taste.
Preparing the black-eyed peas batter
Drain the soaked black-eyed peas and remove their skins by rubbing them under running water; the skins will float away. Blend the beans with a chopped onion and a pinch of salt to a smooth paste. This paste should be thick enough to maintain its shape when fried, ready for the next step in preparing your acaraje.
Frying the acaraje balls
Heat oil in a deep frying pan over medium heat. Once hot, use two spoons or your hands to form balls from the bean paste and carefully drop them into the oil. Fry until they are golden brown on all sides, which should take about five minutes per batch. Remove them with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
Making tomato relish
As your acarajes cool slightly after frying, prepare the tomato relish. Combine finely chopped tomatoes, onions, and optional green chili for heat, with lime juice and chopped cilantro in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix thoroughly to ensure the flavors meld together well, creating a harmonious blend that complements the acarajes perfectly.
Serving your dish
To serve acaraje as in Bahia, split each ball halfway to form a pocket but don't cut through. Spoon ample tomato relish inside each one before serving them warm. This dish combines African and Brazilian flavors, offering a unique dinner option or a dive into international vegetarian cuisine. Brazilian acaraje with tomato relish is bound to impress with its vibrant taste.
