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Mediterranean Seafood Stew – Zarzuela de Pescado Recipe

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4.2 from 37 reviews

Mediterranean Seafood Stew, also known as Zarzuela de Pescado, is a vibrant and flavorful Spanish dish combining fresh seafood like hake, squid, jumbo shrimp, and mussels simmered in a rich tomato and fish broth with aromatic spices, almonds, and fresh parsley. This stew captures the essence of Mediterranean coastal cuisine with its perfect balance of smoky paprika, saffron, and thyme.

Ingredients

Seafood

  • 1 Tube of Squid, cleaned and cut into small squares
  • 1 Fillet of Hake, chopped into 6 pieces (can be substituted with Halibut, Seabass, or Tilapia)
  • 10 Jumbo Shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 8 Fresh Mussels

Vegetables & Aromatics

  • 2 Cloves of Garlic, finely minced
  • 1 Onion, finely diced
  • 1/2 Red Bell Pepper, finely diced
  • 1 1/2 Cups Tinned Diced Tomatoes

Spices & Herbs

  • 1 Tsp Dried Thyme
  • 1 Tsp Smoked Paprika
  • 1 Pinch Saffron Powder
  • 1/2 Tsp White Sugar
  • Sea Salt, to taste
  • Fresh Parsley, for garnish and paste

Liquids & Oils

  • 1 1/2 Cups Fish Broth
  • 1/4 Cup Water
  • 4 Tbsp Extra Virgin Spanish Olive Oil (3 Tbsp for cooking, 1 Tbsp for paste)

Other

  • 10 Blanched Almonds

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Ingredients: Finely mince 2 cloves of garlic, finely dice 1 onion and half of a red bell pepper. Clean the squid tube and cut into small squares. Chop the hake fillet into 6 pieces.
  2. Heat the Pan and Cook Squid: Heat a large non-stick frying pan over medium heat and add 3 tablespoons of extra virgin Spanish olive oil. Once hot, season with sea salt and add the squid squares. Cook for about 2 minutes until just cooked through, then remove from the pan and set aside.
  3. Sauté Vegetables: In the same pan, add the diced onion and cook for about 3 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds. Then add the diced bell pepper, mixing everything and cooking for an additional 3 minutes.
  4. Add Spices: Sprinkle in 1 teaspoon of dried thyme, 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika, and a pinch of sea salt. Stir everything to evenly coat the vegetables with the spices.
  5. Add Tomatoes and Seasonings: Pour in 1 1/2 cups of tinned diced tomatoes, add a pinch of white sugar and sea salt, then mix well. Let the mixture cook for 5 minutes to develop flavor.
  6. Add Broth and Saffron: Slowly stir in 1 1/2 cups of fish broth, 1/4 cup of water, and a pinch of saffron powder. Increase the heat to medium-high until it begins to boil, then reduce to low heat to simmer gently.
  7. Prepare Almond and Parsley Paste: While the stew simmers, heat a small non-stick frying pan and dry roast 10 blanched almonds for about 4 minutes until fragrant. Transfer almonds to a mortar with 2 tablespoons of fresh parsley and mash into a coarse paste. Stir in 1 tablespoon of extra virgin Spanish olive oil to create a smooth mixture.
  8. Incorporate Paste and Simmer: Add the almond and parsley paste into the stew, mixing thoroughly. Let it cook together for about 10 minutes on low heat to meld flavors.
  9. Add Seafood: Add the 6 pieces of hake, the cooked squid from earlier, 10 jumbo shrimp, and 8 fresh mussels to the pan. Cover the pan with a lid and cook for about 5 minutes.
  10. Finish Cooking: Remove the lid and check that all the mussels have opened and the fish is cooked through. Remove the pan from heat.
  11. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle fresh parsley over the stew and serve directly from the pan for an authentic presentation.
  12. Enjoy: Savor this delicious Mediterranean seafood stew full of rich, harmonious flavors.

Notes

  • Ensure mussels are cleaned and debearded before cooking.
  • You can substitute hake with other firm white fish like halibut, sea bass, or tilapia.
  • Adjust seasoning according to taste, especially salt and paprika.
  • Dry roasting almonds enhances their flavor and aroma for the paste.
  • Covering the pan during the last step helps steam open the mussels and cook the seafood evenly.
  • This stew is best enjoyed fresh but can be refrigerated for up to 2 days.

Find it online: https://justsosavory.com/mediterranean-seafood-stew-zarzuela-de-pescado-recipe/