Catalan Seafood Stew

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) mixed fish fillets (such as cod, haddock, or sea bass), cut into chunks 500g (1.1 lb) mixed fish fillets (such as cod, haddock, or sea bass), cut into chunks
• 500g (1.1 lb) mixed shellfish (such as prawns, mussels, and clams) 500g (1.1 lb) mixed shellfish (such as prawns, mussels, and clams)
• 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 teaspoon sweet paprika 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• A pinch of saffron threads A pinch of saffron threads
• 500ml (2 cups) fish or vegetable broth 500ml (2 cups) fish or vegetable broth
• 200ml (3/4 cup) white wine 200ml (3/4 cup) white wine
• Salt and pepper, to taste Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish) Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 12g, 2g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 12g, 4g
• Protein: 40g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, and sauté until softened.
2. 2.
   Add the tomatoes and red bell pepper to the pot, and cook for a few minutes until they start to soften.
3. 3.
   Stir in the sweet paprika, smoked paprika, and saffron threads, and cook for another minute to release their flavors.
4. 4.
   Pour in the fish or vegetable broth and white wine, and bring the mixture to a simmer.
5. 5.
   Add the fish fillets and shellfish to the pot, and season with salt and pepper.
6. 6.
   Cover the pot and let the stew simmer for about 10-15 minutes, or until the seafood is cooked through and the flavors have melded together.
7. 7.
   Serve the Catalan Seafood Stew hot, garnished with fresh parsley.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Fish fillets — Ensure that the fish fillets are fresh and of high quality. If you prefer a firmer texture, you can marinate the fish in lemon juice for 30 minutes before adding it to the stew.
• Shellfish — Scrub the shellfish thoroughly and discard any that are open or damaged. Add the shellfish to the stew towards the end of the cooking time to prevent overcooking.

Tips & Tricks

• For a richer flavor, you can add a splash of brandy or white vermouth to the stew before adding the broth.
• Serve the Catalan Seafood Stew with crusty bread to soak up the delicious broth.
• If you prefer a spicier stew, you can add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a chopped chili pepper to the pot.

Serving advice

Serve the Catalan Seafood Stew in deep bowls, allowing the guests to enjoy the aromatic broth and tender seafood. Accompany it with a side of crusty bread for a complete and satisfying meal.

Presentation advice

Garnish the Catalan Seafood Stew with a sprinkle of fresh parsley to add a pop of color. Serve it in rustic ceramic bowls to showcase the vibrant colors of the stew.