Acarajé - Passo a Passo

black-eyed peas

🥗Healthier: lentils

💰Cheaper: canned beans

Lentils are lower in calories and canned beans save time.

oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: vegetable oil

Avocado oil is healthier while vegetable oil is more economical.

lime juice

🥗Healthier: lemon juice

💰Cheaper: vinegar

Lemon juice offers similar acidity at a lower cost.

parsley

🥗Healthier: cilantro

💰Cheaper: spinach

Cilantro adds flavor while spinach is more affordable.

Prepare the workspace for making acarajé, including a frying pan, a bowl of water, and a strainer for the fried acarajés.

Take 1 kg of frozen acarajé dough out of the freezer and let it thaw slightly.

Grate 100 grams of onion using a coarse grater, which is approximately one medium onion.

Measure 15 grams of salt, equivalent to a heaping dessert spoon, and set aside.

Begin to beat the acarajé dough using a large spoon, ensuring the dough is cold for easier mixing.

Use the back of the spoon to loosen the dough in the pan, then switch to the deeper side of the spoon to mix more vigorously, pushing the dough against the sides of the pan.

Once the dough is light and airy, add the grated onion and mix well.

Add the salt to the mixture and combine gently, ensuring the dough remains cold and fluffy.

Prepare the frying setup by using a deep frying pot or a high-sided pan filled with 1 liter of azeite de dendê, ensuring there's enough space for the acarajés to float without sticking to the bottom.

Make holes in an onion and place it in the oil to monitor the temperature; a soft bubbling indicates the oil is heating up properly.

Heat the oil over medium to high heat, adjusting as necessary based on the bubbling sound from the onion.

While the oil heats, prepare a second batch of dough using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, beating for about five minutes until the dough is ready.

Once the oil is hot and bubbling, start frying the acarajés using a slotted spoon to shape them.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary