Artist's palate: Ernesto Neto's vatapa

Ernesto Neto’s vatapa
(Image credit: press)

For our Artist's Palate back page in the Born in Brazil issue of Wallpaper* (see W*135) Brazilian artist Ernesto Neto sent us his recipe for Vatapa in the form of a song by the revered Brazilian songwriter Dorival Caymmi. There’s something flamboyantly, not to mention stereotypically, Brazilian about the idea that you would sing a recipe.

Vatapa (Dorival Caymmi)

Who wants vatapa, o

How do you get one

First the cornmeal

Then the palm

Find a black girl from Bahia, o

Who knows how to move

Who knows how to move

Who knows how to move

Find a black girl from Bahia, o

Who knows how to move

Who knows how to move

Who knows how to move

Mix in cashew nuts

A little more

Chilli pepper

A little more

Mix in cashew nuts

A little more

Chilli pepper

A little more

Peanuts, shrimp, a little coconut

When it starts to brown

Salt with ginger and onion, Yaya

When it's time to season

Do not stop moving, o

To prevent any lumps

Put the pan on the fire

Do not let it burn

With ten thousand réis and a black girl

You can get vatapa

You can get vatapa

Good vatapa

Mix in cashew nuts

A little more

Chilli pepper

A little more

Mix in cashew nuts

A little more

Chilli pepper

A little more

Peanuts, shrimp, a little coconut

When it starts to brown

Salt with ginger and onion.

Melina Keays is the entertaining director of Wallpaper*. She has been part of the brand since the magazine’s launch in 1996, and is responsible for entertaining content across the print and digital platforms, and for Wallpaper’s creative agency Bespoke. A native Londoner, Melina takes inspiration from the whole spectrum of art and design – including film, literature, and fashion. Her work for the brand involves curating content, writing, and creative direction – conceiving luxury interior landscapes with a focus on food, drinks, and entertaining in all its forms