Artist's palate: Ernesto Neto's vatapa

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
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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
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