Portuguese Style Fish Stew

Portuguese cuisine is not readily found across the country, but using a few simple ingredients, you can recreate the flavors of a culture that relies heavily on the sea for its food. This is a forgiving recipe and can be tweaked to reflect your tastes. If you like spicy food, consider passing red pepper flakes at the table. Serve with a good crusty artisan bread.

Portuguese Style Fish Stew

2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

2 bay leaves

2 tsp. paprika (smoked or sweet)

1 small onion, thinly sliced

1 small green bell pepper, thinly sliced

1 (15 oz.) can diced tomatoes

4 cloves garlic, finely chopped

¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro

1½ lb. skinless striped bass, cut in 2" chunks (or any other firm white-fleshed fish)
½ lb. shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 cups liquid**

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Crusty bread, to serve

Heat 2 tbsp. olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the bay leaves and paprika and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add the onion, bell pepper, tomatoes, garlic and 2 tbsp. of the cilantro; season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook until the vegetables are softened, about 10 minutes. Taste for seasoning and add more salt and pepper, if needed.

Add 2 cups of the liquid of your choice and reduce the heat to medium-low. Season the fish with salt and pepper, then nestle the pieces among the vegetables in the pan. Cover and simmer until the fish is just cooked through, 5 - 7 minutes. Add the shrimp during the last few minutes of cooking, as they take very little time to cook and will continue cooking in the broth once it is off the heat. Make sure to remove the bay leaves before serving.

Divide the stew among bowls. Drizzle with a good finishing olive oil and sprinkle with the remaining 2 tbsp. cilantro. Serve immediately with the bread. Pass crushed red pepper flakes and lime wedges when served.

Serves 4

NOTE:  Fish, shrimp, chicken and vegetable stocks, dry white wine or water can be used as cooking liquids.  A combination can also be used.  Preferably, use fish stock in this recipe to better complement the dish.  You can find canned fish stock in the store but if you want use any shrimp stock, you will have to make your own.