Dahomey Delight Fish Stew

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) firm white fish fillets 500g (1.1 lb) firm white fish fillets
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 2 tomatoes, diced 2 tomatoes, diced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon ground paprika 1 teaspoon ground paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper 1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 2 bay leaves 2 bay leaves
• 2 cups (470ml) fish or vegetable broth 2 cups (470ml) fish or vegetable broth
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish) Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 12g, 2g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 8g, 4g
• Protein: 28g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. 2.
   Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot and sauté until they become translucent.
3. 3.
   Add the diced red and green bell peppers to the pot and cook for a few minutes until they start to soften.
4. 4.
   Stir in the diced tomatoes and tomato paste, and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
5. 5.
   Add the ground ginger, ground coriander, ground paprika, ground cayenne pepper, dried thyme, bay leaves, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix well to combine the spices with the vegetables.
6. 6.
   Gently place the fish fillets into the pot, making sure they are submerged in the stew.
7. 7.
   Pour in the fish or vegetable broth, cover the pot, and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
8. 8.
   Remove the bay leaves from the stew and adjust the seasoning if needed.
9. 9.
   Serve the Dahomey Delight Fish Stew hot, garnished with fresh cilantro. Enjoy with rice or crusty bread.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Fish — Choose a firm white fish such as cod, haddock, or tilapia for the best results. Make sure the fish is fresh and free from any unpleasant odors.
• Ground ginger — If you prefer a stronger ginger flavor, you can use freshly grated ginger instead of ground ginger.
• Fresh cilantro — If you're not a fan of cilantro, you can substitute it with fresh parsley for a milder herb flavor.

Tips & Tricks

• For a spicier stew, increase the amount of cayenne pepper according to your taste preferences.
• To add more depth of flavor, you can marinate the fish fillets in a mixture of lemon juice, salt, and pepper for 30 minutes before adding them to the stew.
• If you prefer a thicker stew, you can mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with a little water and add it to the stew during the last few minutes of cooking.

Serving advice

Serve the Dahomey Delight Fish Stew in deep bowls, allowing the flavors to mingle. Accompany it with a side of fluffy white rice or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.

Presentation advice

Garnish the stew with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro to add a pop of color. Serve it in vibrant ceramic bowls to showcase the rich red hue of the stew.