Saramură - Romanian Spicy Fish Stew

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) fish fillets (carp or pike) 500g (1.1 lb) fish fillets (carp or pike)
• Juice of 1 lemon Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 4 tomatoes, diced 4 tomatoes, diced
• 1 tablespoon sweet paprika 1 tablespoon sweet paprika
• 1 teaspoon chili flakes (adjust to taste) 1 teaspoon chili flakes (adjust to taste)
• 500ml (2 cups) fish or vegetable broth 500ml (2 cups) fish or vegetable broth
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish) Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 12g, 2g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 10g, 5g
• Protein: 25g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a bowl, combine the fish fillets, lemon juice, and salt. Allow them to marinate for 15 minutes.
2. 2.
   In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until golden and fragrant.
3. 3.
   Add the diced tomatoes, sweet paprika, and chili flakes to the pot. Stir well to combine the ingredients and cook for 5 minutes.
4. 4.
   Pour in the fish or vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a simmer.
5. 5.
   Gently place the marinated fish fillets into the pot, ensuring they are fully submerged in the broth. Cover the pot and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through and tender.
6. 6.
   Once cooked, remove the pot from the heat and garnish with freshly chopped parsley.
7. 7.
   Serve the Saramură hot with a side of creamy polenta or crusty bread.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Fish fillets — Choose fresh fish fillets with firm flesh for the best results in this recipe. If carp or pike are not available, you can use other white fish varieties such as cod or haddock.
• Sweet paprika — Opt for Hungarian sweet paprika for its authentic flavor. If unavailable, regular sweet paprika can be used as a substitute.
• Chili flakes — Adjust the amount of chili flakes according to your spice preference. Increase or decrease the quantity to suit your taste.

Tips & Tricks

• For a richer flavor, you can add a splash of white wine to the stew before simmering.
• If you prefer a milder version, reduce the amount of chili flakes or omit them altogether.
• Squeeze a bit of fresh lemon juice over the stew just before serving to enhance the tanginess.
• Allow the stew to rest for a few minutes after cooking to allow the flavors to meld together.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated the next day, allowing the flavors to further develop.

Serving advice

Serve the Saramură hot in individual bowls, garnished with freshly chopped parsley. Accompany it with a generous portion of creamy polenta or crusty bread to soak up the flavorful broth.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, place a whole fish fillet on top of each bowl of Saramură and sprinkle some additional chili flakes and parsley on top. This will add visual appeal and showcase the star ingredient of the dish.