Brazilian Shrimp Soup

• 2 tablespoons cooking oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3/4 cup long-grain rice
• 1/4 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
• 1 3/4 teaspoons salt
• 1 3/4 cups canned crushed tomatoes in thick puree (from one 15-ounce can)
• 5 cups water
• 1 cup canned unsweetened coconut milk
• 1 1/2 pounds medium shrimp, shelled and cut in half horizontally
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley or cilantro

In a large pot, heat the oil over moderately low heat. Add the onion, bell pepper, and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables start to soften, about 10 minutes.

Add the rice, red-pepper flakes, salt, tomatoes, and water to the pot. Bring to a boil and cook until the rice is almost tender, about 10 minutes.

Stir the coconut milk into the soup. Bring back to a simmer and then stir in the shrimp. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp are just done, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the black pepper, lemon juice, and parsley.

Now, I know that a real Brazilian shrimp soup should also have okra in it, but my soup was thick enough without it. You can, of course, instead of the shrimp, to use one pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about three), cut crosswise into quarter-inch strips. Cook for the same amount of time.

Enjoy!

Okra and Chicken Breast Stew - Mancare de pui cu bame

Foarte, foarte simplu:

Extremely simple:

- 1 ceapa medie, tocata - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 linguri ulei de masline - 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 500 gr bame (eu am avut congelate) - 1 lb frozen okra 
- 500 gr piept de pui dezosat si dezpielitat, taiat bucati potrivite - 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut in medium pieces
- suc de rosii, sare si piper dupa gust - tomato juice, salt and pepper to taste

Tocati ceapa - chop the onion

Intr-o cratita incingeti uleiul la foc potrivit, adaugati ceapa, sarea si piperul, lasati-le sa se inmoaie putin, apoi adaugati pieptul de pui taiat in bucati potrivite, lasati totul la inabusit 10-15 minute

In a pan heat the oil over medium heat, add the chopped onion, salt and pepper, allow to soften a bit, then add the cut chicken breast, let everything cook for 10-15 minutes