Croatian Fish Stew

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) mixed fish fillets (such as cod, haddock, or sea bass), cut into chunks 500g (1.1 lb) mixed fish fillets (such as cod, haddock, or sea bass), cut into chunks
• 250g (8.8 oz) shrimp, peeled and deveined 250g (8.8 oz) shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 500g (1.1 lb) mussels, cleaned and debearded 500g (1.1 lb) mussels, cleaned and debearded
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tomatoes, diced 2 tomatoes, diced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 liter (4 cups) fish or vegetable broth 1 liter (4 cups) fish or vegetable broth
• 1 bay leaf 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 12g, 2g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 15g, 5g
• Protein: 45g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until translucent.
2. 2.
   Add the diced tomatoes and tomato paste to the pot, and cook for a few minutes until the tomatoes start to soften.
3. 3.
   Pour in the fish or vegetable broth, and add the bay leaf and dried thyme. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. 4.
   Bring the broth to a simmer, then add the fish chunks, shrimp, and mussels. Cover the pot and let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes, or until the seafood is cooked through and the mussels have opened.
5. 5.
   Stir in the chopped fresh parsley, and adjust the seasoning if needed.
6. 6.
   Remove the bay leaf before serving.
7. 7.
   Ladle the Croatian Fish Stew into bowls and serve hot.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Fish — Choose firm white fish fillets that are fresh and have a mild flavor. Avoid using oily fish as it may overpower the delicate flavors of the stew.
• Shrimp — Opt for fresh or frozen shrimp that have been peeled and deveined for convenience. Make sure to remove the tails before adding them to the stew.
• Mussels — Before cooking, scrub the mussels under cold water to remove any dirt or debris. Discard any mussels that are cracked or do not close when tapped.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra burst of flavor, add a splash of white wine to the stew before adding the broth.
• Serve the Croatian Fish Stew with crusty bread to soak up the delicious broth.
• Feel free to customize the seafood selection based on your preferences and availability.
• If you prefer a spicier stew, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated and enjoyed the next day, as the flavors tend to develop and intensify over time.

Serving advice

Serve the Croatian Fish Stew in deep bowls, garnished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley. Accompany it with a side of crusty bread for dipping and savoring the flavorful broth.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, arrange a variety of seafood on top of the stew, such as a whole shrimp or a mussel in its shell. Drizzle a swirl of olive oil over the stew and sprinkle some freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color.