Tacacá
Amazonian Brazilian soup of seasoned shrimp and cassava dough dumplings in a savory broth. Served piping hot with peppery cassava leaf seasoning and lime.
Ingredients
- 1 cup cassava starch (goma)
- 3 cups water (hot)
- 4 oz dried shrimp (small)
- 8 oz fresh shrimp (peeled, deveined)
- 4 cups fish broth (or seafood broth)
- 1/2 white onion, minced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp cassava leaf powder (if available)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper (ground)
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 limes, cut into wedges
Instructions
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1
In a bowl, mix 1 cup cassava starch (goma) with 3 cups water (hot) to create a smooth, pourable consistency. Set aside. This is the tacacá broth base.
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2
Heat 4 cups fish broth (or seafood broth) in a pot over medium heat. Add 4 oz dried shrimp (small) and simmer 5 minutes to infuse flavor.
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3
Add 8 oz fresh shrimp (peeled, deveined), 1/2 minced white onion, and 2 cloves minced garlic to the broth. Simmer 3-4 minutes until shrimp is just cooked through.
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4
Season with 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper (ground), and 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper.
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5
Slowly pour the cassava starch mixture into the hot broth while stirring constantly. The mixture will become thick and creamy.
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6
Cook 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the broth reaches a slightly thick, sauce-like consistency.
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7
Ladle soup into bowls and top each serving with a generous pinch of 2 tbsp cassava leaf powder (if available).
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8
Serve immediately piping hot with 2 cut into wedges limes on the side for squeezing.