Fiery Croatian Fish Stew

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) mixed fish fillets (cod, haddock, salmon) 500g (1.1 lb) mixed fish fillets (cod, haddock, salmon)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 red bell peppers, diced 2 red bell peppers, diced
• 2 tomatoes, diced 2 tomatoes, diced
• 2 tablespoons sweet paprika 2 tablespoons sweet paprika
• 1 teaspoon hot paprika 1 teaspoon hot paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf 1 bay leaf
• 500ml (2 cups) fish or vegetable broth 500ml (2 cups) fish or vegetable broth
• Salt and pepper, to taste Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
• Fresh dill, chopped, for garnish Fresh dill, chopped, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 10g, 2g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 10g, 5g
• Protein: 30g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until they become translucent.
2. 2.
   Add the diced red bell peppers and tomatoes to the pot, and cook for a few minutes until they start to soften.
3. 3.
   Stir in the sweet paprika, hot paprika, dried thyme, and bay leaf. Cook for another minute to release the flavors.
4. 4.
   Add the fish fillets to the pot and gently stir to coat them with the spice mixture.
5. 5.
   Pour in the fish or vegetable broth, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. 6.
   Bring the stew to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let it cook for about 20 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through and flakes easily.
7. 7.
   Remove the bay leaf from the stew. Serve the Fiery Croatian Fish Stew hot, garnished with fresh parsley and dill.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Fish fillets — Ensure that the fish fillets are fresh and of high quality. If you prefer a milder flavor, you can use white fish fillets such as cod or haddock. For a richer taste, incorporate salmon or other oily fish.
• Paprika — Use a good quality sweet and hot paprika to achieve the authentic flavors of the dish. Adjust the amount of hot paprika according to your spice preference.

Tips & Tricks

• For a thicker stew, you can add a tablespoon of tomato paste to the pot.
• Serve the Fiery Croatian Fish Stew with crusty bread or over a bed of cooked rice for a complete meal.
• Feel free to customize the stew by adding other seafood such as shrimp or mussels.
• If you prefer a milder flavor, reduce the amount of hot paprika or omit it altogether.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated and enjoyed the next day, as the flavors tend to develop and intensify.

Serving advice

Serve the Fiery Croatian Fish Stew hot in individual bowls. Garnish each serving with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and dill for a pop of color and added freshness. Accompany the stew with a side of crusty bread or cooked rice to soak up the flavorful broth.

Presentation advice

Present the Fiery Croatian Fish Stew in a rustic ceramic bowl or a deep plate. The vibrant red color of the stew will be visually appealing against the neutral tones of the dishware. Add a sprig of fresh herbs, such as parsley or dill, as a final touch to enhance the presentation.