Croatian Seafood Stew

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) white fish fillets, cut into chunks 500g (1.1 lb) white fish fillets, cut into chunks
• 300g (10.5 oz) shrimp, peeled and deveined 300g (10.5 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
• 3 garlic cloves, minced 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tomatoes, diced 2 tomatoes, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 cup (240ml) white wine 1 cup (240ml) white wine
• 2 cups (470ml) fish or vegetable broth 2 cups (470ml) fish or vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 bay leaf 1 bay leaf
• A pinch of saffron threads A pinch of saffron threads
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish) Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 12g, 2g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 12g, 4g
• Protein: 38g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, sauté until translucent.
2. 2.
   Add the diced tomatoes and sliced red bell pepper to the pot. Cook for a few minutes until the vegetables soften.
3. 3.
   Pour in the white wine and let it simmer for a couple of minutes to reduce slightly.
4. 4.
   Add the fish chunks, shrimp, mussels, dried thyme, dried oregano, bay leaf, and saffron threads to the pot. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. 5.
   Pour in the fish or vegetable broth, ensuring that the seafood is fully submerged. Bring the stew to a gentle simmer.
6. 6.
   Cover the pot and let the stew cook for about 15-20 minutes, or until the seafood is cooked through and the mussels have opened.
7. 7.
   Remove the bay leaf from the stew. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
8. 8.
   Serve the Croatian Seafood Stew hot, garnished with fresh parsley. Enjoy with crusty bread to soak up the flavorful broth.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Fish — Choose firm white fish such as cod, haddock, or sea bass for the best results. Ensure the fish is fresh and free from any unpleasant odor.
• Saffron — To enhance the flavor and color of the stew, soak the saffron threads in a tablespoon of warm water for a few minutes before adding them to the pot.

Tips & Tricks

• Use a variety of seafood to add depth of flavor to the stew.
• Serve the stew with a squeeze of lemon juice for a refreshing tang.
• If mussels do not open during cooking, discard them as they may be spoiled.
• Adjust the amount of saffron according to personal preference for color and flavor intensity.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated and enjoyed the next day, as the flavors tend to develop further.

Serving advice

Serve the Croatian Seafood Stew in deep bowls, allowing guests to savor the aroma and flavors. Accompany it with crusty bread to soak up the delicious broth.

Presentation advice

Garnish the stew with a sprinkle of fresh parsley to add a pop of color. Serve it in rustic ceramic bowls to enhance the traditional feel of the dish.