Overseas Chinese-style Seafood Stew

Ingredients

In this adaptation, the original French Cotriade is transformed into an Overseas Chinese-style Seafood Stew by incorporating Chinese spices and herbs. The addition of ingredients like ginger, garlic, star anise, and soy sauce infuses the dish with the distinct flavors of Chinese cuisine. The stew retains the essence of the original by using a variety of fresh seafood, but the cooking techniques and flavor profiles are modified to create a unique fusion dish. We alse have the original recipe for Cotriade, so you can check it out.

• 500g (1.1 lb) white fish fillets, cut into chunks 500g (1.1 lb) white fish fillets, cut into chunks
• 250g (8.8 oz) shrimp, peeled and deveined 250g (8.8 oz) shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 500g (1.1 lb) clams, scrubbed and rinsed 500g (1.1 lb) clams, scrubbed and rinsed
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger, grated 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger, grated
• 2 tomatoes, diced 2 tomatoes, diced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder 1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
• 2 cups (470ml) fish or vegetable broth 2 cups (470ml) fish or vegetable broth
• 1 cup (240ml) coconut milk 1 cup (240ml) coconut milk
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish) Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 18g, 10g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 12g, 4g
• Protein: 35g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Sauté until fragrant and the onion becomes translucent.
2. 2.
   Add the diced tomatoes, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and Chinese five-spice powder to the pot. Stir well to combine the flavors.
3. 3.
   Pour in the fish or vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a simmer.
4. 4.
   Add the fish chunks, shrimp, and clams to the pot. Cover and cook for about 5 minutes, or until the seafood is cooked through and the clams have opened.
5. 5.
   Stir in the coconut milk and season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for an additional 2 minutes.
6. 6.
   Remove from heat and garnish with fresh cilantro.
7. 7.
   Serve the Overseas Chinese-style Seafood Stew hot with steamed rice or crusty bread.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Fish — Choose a firm white fish like cod or haddock for this stew. Ensure the fish is fresh and free from any unpleasant odor.
• Shrimp — Opt for peeled and deveined shrimp to save time during preparation.
• Clams — Scrub the clams thoroughly under cold water to remove any sand or grit before adding them to the stew.
• Chinese five-spice powder — If you don't have Chinese five-spice powder, you can make your own by combining equal parts ground cinnamon, cloves, fennel seeds, star anise, and Sichuan peppercorns.

Tips & Tricks

• For a spicier kick, add a small amount of chili paste or chili flakes to the stew.
• Serve the stew with a side of steamed bok choy or stir-fried vegetables for a complete meal.
• Adjust the seasoning according to your taste preferences. Add more soy sauce or salt if desired.
• If you prefer a thicker stew, you can mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with water and add it to the pot during the last few minutes of cooking.
• Experiment with different types of seafood, such as scallops or squid, to personalize the dish.

Serving advice

Serve the Overseas Chinese-style Seafood Stew in individual bowls, garnished with fresh cilantro. Accompany it with steamed rice or crusty bread to soak up the flavorful broth.

Presentation advice

To enhance the visual appeal, arrange the seafood chunks on top of the stew and sprinkle some additional chopped cilantro as a finishing touch. Serve the stew in colorful ceramic bowls to make it even more enticing.