Best 8 Basque Style Fishermans Stew Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

Embark on a culinary journey to the Basque Country with our enticing Basque-Style Fisherman's Stew recipes. Immerse yourself in the vibrant flavors of this traditional dish, where fresh seafood, succulent vegetables, and aromatic spices dance together in a symphony of taste. Discover the secrets behind this classic stew, from the delicate flavors of the white fish to the hearty richness of the broth. Learn how to create an authentic fisherman's stew using the freshest ingredients, capturing the essence of this beloved Basque dish. Explore variations of the stew, including the Pescado a la Vasca and the Marmitako, each offering unique interpretations of this culinary masterpiece. Prepare to tantalize your taste buds and experience the charm of Basque cuisine with our comprehensive guide to fisherman's stew recipes.

Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!

BACALAO A LA VIZCAINA (BASQUE STYLE CODFISH STEW)



Bacalao a la Vizcaina (Basque Style Codfish Stew) image

This Spanish-style fish stew from the Basque region of Spain is a traditional peasant dish popular in all Spanish-speaking countries (where each has given it their special twist). For example, in Mexico it is usually made for Christmas, New Year's Eve, and Lent; in Puerto Rico it is a year-round favorite but most enjoyed during Lent. This is one of the Puerto Rican versions.

Provided by Milly Suazo-Martinez

Categories     Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes     Stews     Seafood

Time 9h15m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 pound salted cod fish
4 potatoes, sliced thick
2 onions, sliced
4 hard-boiled eggs, sliced
2 teaspoons capers
2 large cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup pitted green olives
1 (4 ounce) jar roasted red bell peppers, drained
½ cup golden raisins
1 bay leaf
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
½ cup extra virgin olive oil
1 cup water
¼ cup white wine

Steps:

  • Soak the salted cod in about 2 quarts of water, changing the water 3 times over the course of 8 hours. Drain and cut the fish into bite-size pieces.
  • Layer the half of each ingredient in the following order: potatoes, cod fish, onions, hard-boiled eggs, capers, garlic, olives, roasted red peppers, and raisins. Place the bay leaf on top, then pour half the tomato sauce and half the olive oil. Repeat with the remaining ingredients in the same order. Pour the water and white wine on top. Do not stir.
  • Cover and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 30 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 474.5 calories, Carbohydrate 31.6 g, Cholesterol 192.3 mg, Fat 18.9 g, Fiber 3.8 g, Protein 42.3 g, SaturatedFat 3.2 g, Sodium 4353.3 mg, Sugar 9.3 g

FISHERMAN'S STEW



Fisherman's Stew image

A recipe this simple has many advantages. It's fast, easy, and doesn't require a ton of prep, but the downside is, there's nowhere to hide subpar ingredients. So, unless you're going to splurge on the freshest, sweetest, most pristine seafood you can find, you may want to look for another recipe. Serve with crusty bread on the side.

Provided by Chef John

Categories     Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes     Stews     Seafood

Time 45m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 cup canned crushed tomatoes (such as San Marzano)
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste
2 cups water
1 (8 ounce) fillet sea bass
8 uncooked medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
8 ounces calamari rings and tentacles
12 mussels, cleaned and debearded
12 clams in shell, scrubbed
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
½ bulb fennel - cored, thinly sliced, and fronds reserved
4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
salt to taste
½ cup white wine
¼ cup freshly chopped parsley

Steps:

  • Combine tomatoes, red pepper flakes, and water in a measuring cup or bowl. Puree using an immersion blender until smooth.
  • Cut sea bass into roughly 1 1/2-inch chunks to match the other seafood in size. Place fish, shrimp, calamari, mussels, and clams in individual dishes so they're ready to use.
  • Melt butter and olive oil in a deep pan over medium-high heat. Add sliced fennel, garlic, and salt; cook and stir until garlic takes on color, about 1 minute. Stir in white wine. Let simmer until reduced by about 1/2, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in tomato broth base; bring to a boil. Continue to boil until fennel is tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings.
  • Stir in parsley, bass, shrimp, and calamari. Add clams and mussels. Cover, increase heat to high, and cook until clam and mussel shells open and fish, shrimp, and calamari are opaque, about 5 minutes.
  • Transfer to warm serving bowls. Garnish with reserved fennel fronds and serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 412.7 calories, Carbohydrate 15.9 g, Cholesterol 217 mg, Fat 19.4 g, Fiber 2.3 g, Protein 37.5 g, SaturatedFat 6.1 g, Sodium 550.6 mg, Sugar 0.4 g

BASQUE-STYLE FISHERMAN'S STEW



Basque-Style Fisherman's Stew image

Number Of Ingredients 12

1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 onions, finely diced
3 russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-inch cubes
2 green bell peppers, seeded, deribbed, and chopped into 1-inch dice
2 cloves garlic, minced
salt to taste
8 cups fish stock or bottled clam juice
1 cup dry white wine
6 ounces fresh tomatoes, peeled (see NOTE), seeded, and diced, or 3/4 cup diced canned tomatoes
2 pounds fatty fresh tuna (preferably from the belly), cut into large pieces
freshly ground pepper to taste
chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley for garnish

Steps:

  • 1. Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes, or until the onions are translucent but not colored.2. Add the potatoes, bell peppers, and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes. Season lightly with salt.3. Add the fish stock or clam juice and wine. Simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the stew has thickened slightly.4. Add the tomatoes and simmer for 10 minutes.5. Add the tuna. Cover, remove from heat, and let stand until tuna is cooked until tender. Season with salt and pepper.6. Ladle into bowls, garnish with parsley, and serve.NOTE: To peel and seed tomatoes, cut an X in the blossom ends and drop into a pot of boiling water for 30 to 60 seconds, or until the skin starts to wrinkle. Using a slotted spoon, transfer quickly to a bowl of cold water to halt the cooking. When cool to the touch, remove the skins and cut in half crosswise. Hold each half upside down over the sink and shake and squeeze the tomato gently to release the seeds.TO MAKE AHEAD: Prepare through Step 4 and refrigerate for up to 2 days. TO REHEAT: Bring to a simmer over low heat. Proceed from Step 5.From From Our House To Yours. Compilation copyright © 2002 by Chronicle Books LLC. Foreword copyright © 2002 by Joyce Goldstein. Photographs copyright © 2002 by E.J. Armstrong. All rights reserved. First published by Chronicle Books LLC, San Francisco, California.

Nutrition Facts : Nutritional Facts Serves

COD BASQUAISE



Cod Basquaise image

In this easy one-pot dish, Chef Boulud marries clean, mild cod with bold chorizo, wine, garlic, and espelette, the iconic pepper of the Pays Basque region of France. The fish is first spiced and seared for a bit of texture, then gently poached in the bright broth to absorb flavor without overcooking.

Provided by Daniel Boulud

Categories     main-dish

Time 50m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 17

4 fillets cod, skinless, preferably center cut, about 1.5 lb total
Sea salt
1 teaspoon ground espelette pepper, divided, available at specialty markets or online; may substitute unsmoked hot paprika
1 teaspoon paprika, divided
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided, plus more for garnish
1 link Spanish chorizo, cut into ¼-inch coins; about ½ cup
1 small red onion, thinly sliced
1 small red bell pepper, thinly sliced, about ¾ cup
1 small yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced, about ¾ cup
1 small green bell pepper, thinly sliced, about ¾ cup
Freshly ground white pepper
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped, about 1 tablespoon
1 teaspoon tomato paste
1/2 cup high-quality white wine, preferably from the Basque region
2 plum tomatoes, blanched, peeled, seeded, cut into strips
1/2 cup Water
Flat-leaf parsley leaves, for garnish

Steps:

  • Season one side of the cod fillets with a pinch of salt, a pinch of espelette pepper, and a pinch of paprika. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once oil is hot, arrange chorizo coins around the edge of the pan; then place the cod fillets, spiced side down, in the center. Sear the fillets until they are lightly golden on one side, about 30 seconds; then remove from the pan and set aside, spiced side up. Flip chorizo coins and continue to sear until they release some fat, 1 minute.
  • Add 1 tablespoon oil to the pan. Add sliced onions and peppers; stir, then season with a pinch of salt and freshly ground pepper. Toss or stir to combine, then add a pinch of espelette pepper and a pinch of paprika. Stir and sweat until vegetables are soft but have taken on no color, 6-8 minutes.
  • To the vegetables, add chopped garlic and 1 more tablespoon olive oil; toss and stir. Add the tomato paste and white wine, stir, and simmer for about 30 seconds. Add the sliced tomatoes. Continue simmering until the pan is nearly dry ("au sec"), 5-7 minutes. Add water, then nestle cod fillets into the vegetables, spiced side up. Reduce heat to low and poach the fish, uncovered, until cooked, 10-15 minutes.
  • Cod is done when it's no longer translucent. Garnish the dish with parsley leaves and a drizzle of olive oil. Serve immediately.

BASQUE-STYLE FISHERMAN'S STEW



Basque-Style Fisherman's Stew image

The Winning Recipe for 1998 in the San Francisco Chronicle, from Loretta Keller. All you need is some crusty bread to make a meal of this.

Provided by evelynathens

Categories     Chowders

Time 1h10m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 onions, finely diced
3 russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-inch cubes
2 green bell peppers, deveined and chopped
2 garlic cloves
salt
8 cups fish stock or 8 cups bottled clam juice
1 cup dry white wine
6 ounces fresh tomatoes, peeled, seeded and diced or 3/4 cup diced canned tomato
2 lbs fresh fatty tuna, cut into large pieces (preferably from the belly)
fresh ground pepper
chopped Italian parsley

Steps:

  • Heat the oil in a large heavy saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent but not colored, about 10 minutes.
  • Add the potatoes, bell peppers and garlic. Cook, stirring for 10 minutes. Season lightly with salt.
  • Add the fish stock and wine. Simmer until the potatoes are tender and the stew has thickened slightly, about 10 minutes.
  • Add the tomatoes and simmer for 10 minutes.
  • Add the tuna, pushing it down into the stew with a spoon. Cover, remove from heat and let stand until tuna is cooked to desired doneness, about 5 minutes for medium-rare. Season with salt and pepper. Ladle into bowls, sprinkle with parsley and serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 454.7, Fat 14.7, SaturatedFat 3.2, Cholesterol 60.5, Sodium 555.9, Carbohydrate 26.6, Fiber 3.9, Sugar 4.5, Protein 45.5

SPANISH BASQUE SEAFOOD STEW RECIPE



Spanish Basque Seafood Stew Recipe image

A recipe for a Basque-style seafood stew where fish and shellfish meet peppers, paprika, and white wine.

Provided by Hank Shaw

Categories     Dinner     Entree

Time 1h

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 22

1 pound baby octopus
1 pound fish (a firm white fish such as sea bass)
1/2 pound shrimp
1/2 pound bay scallops
1/4 cup olive oil
2 medium onions (chopped)
2 celery stalks (chopped)
3 garlic cloves (chopped)
1 green pepper (chopped)
1 red bell pepper (chopped)
1 teaspoon hot paprika (or Espelette pepper)
1 tablespoon sweet paprika
1 wineglass white wine (dry)
1 quart fish stock (or chicken or water)
5 plum tomatoes (chopped and seeded)
6 sage leaves (chopped)
1 tablespoon rosemary (fresh, chopped)
2 tablespoons parsley (fresh, chopped)
1 tablespoon basil (chopped)
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
Lemon juice

Steps:

  • Cut the octopi into large pieces. Slice the fish into 1- to 2-inch cubes. Peel the shrimp and wash the scallops. Toss each of them with some salt and set aside -- separately.
  • Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven or large stew pot over medium-high heat for a minute or two, then add the onion and celery. Saute for 3 to 4 minutes, then add the green and red bell peppers and the baby octopus.
  • Saute the octopus, peppers, and onion for a minute or two, then add the garlic and mix well. Cook for 1 minute, then turn the heat up to high and add the white wine.
  • Mix well, and add both types of paprika and mix again. Let the mixture boil fiercely until half the wine is cooked away.
  • Add the chopped sage and rosemary, then the fish stock. stir and bring to a boil. Turn the heat down to a simmer and let this cook for 35 to 40 minutes.
  • Test for salt and add if needed. Test a piece of octopus: If it is tender, proceed. If not, cook a bit longer.
  • Once the octopus is tender, add the tomatoes, the shrimp, fish, and scallops, then add half the parsley. Cook this at a simmer for 4 to 5 minutes.
  • Add the rest of the parsley and the basil. Stir to combine and serve. This stew really rises to the occasion with some good-quality crusty bread and a good white wine. A perfect choice would be a Spanish or California Albarino, but a verdelho, pinot grigio, dry riesling or Italian grillo would all be excellent, as would a Greek assyrtiko. If you are a beer drinker, a light Belgian ale would be nice, too

Nutrition Facts : Calories 587 kcal, Carbohydrate 18 g, Cholesterol 228 mg, Fiber 2 g, Protein 63 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, Sodium 1369 mg, Sugar 5 g, Fat 19 g, ServingSize 4 to 6 servings, UnsaturatedFat 0 g

MARMITAKO - BASQUE FISH STEW



Marmitako - Basque Fish Stew image

"This warming Basque fish stew receives its name from the saucepan that it is cooked in, a Marmita." From notesfromspain.com Posted for ZWT 5.

Provided by ThatSouthernBelle

Categories     Tuna

Time 1h30m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

600 g fresh tuna (or Bonito if you are in Spain)
1 kg potato
2 onions
2 tomatoes
3 garlic cloves
2 bay leaves
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon sweet paprika
1 cayenne pepper
1 liter water
2 sprigs parsley

Steps:

  • Start by peeling the potatoes and slicing them roughly. Then peel and thinly slice both the onion and the garlic. Pour the oil into a saucepan and let it warm on the hob until it starts to smoke. Then add the potatoes, the onion and the garlic and let these cook for about 5 minutes, turning occasionaly.
  • Next add the bay leaves, the cayenne pepper, and finally a tsp of sweet paprika. Be careful at this point, you need to get the paprika coated in the oil without burning it - to do this successfully stir non-stop for between 20 to 30 seconds then immediately add the water, until the potato mixture is covered. Remove the cayenne pepper, and let the stew boil for 20 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, prepare the tomatoes and the fish. To easily peel the tomatoes, scald them (cover for half a minute with boiling water) and then remove the skin. Chop the tomatoes roughly and purée them using a fork. Next, cut the fish into small cubes, carefully removing any remaining bones.
  • When the 20 minutes are up (this time really depends on the type of potatoes) add the tomato purée and leave the dish simmering on the hob for a further 7 minutes. Then add the tuna, and cook it for just 5 to 7 minutes more - you really have to be careful not to overcook the fish or it won't be tender. Sprinkle with the chopped parsley and serve in bowls.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 567.1, Fat 21.3, SaturatedFat 3.9, Cholesterol 57, Sodium 84.3, Carbohydrate 52.7, Fiber 7.3, Sugar 6, Protein 41.3

BASQUE-STYLE SALMON STEW



Basque-style salmon stew image

Heart-healthy salmon tops this simple one-pot which will help towards your five-a-day

Provided by Good Food team

Categories     Dinner, Main course

Time 35m

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 tbsp olive oil
3 mixed peppers , deseeded and sliced
1 large onion , thinly sliced
400g baby potatoes , unpeeled and halved
2 tsp smoked paprika
2 garlic cloves , sliced
2 tsp dried thyme
400g can chopped tomatoes
4 salmon fillets
1 tbsp chopped parsley , to serve (optional)

Steps:

  • Heat the oil in a large pan and add the peppers, onion and potatoes. Cook, stirring regularly for 5-8 mins until golden. Then add the paprika, garlic, thyme and tomatoes. Bring to the boil, stir and cover, then turn down heat and simmer for 12 mins. Add a splash of water if the sauce becomes too thick.
  • Season the stew and lay the salmon on top, skin side down. Place the lid back on and simmer for another 8 mins until the salmon is cooked through. Scatter with parsley, if you like, and serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 414 calories, Fat 19 grams fat, SaturatedFat 4 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 29 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 11 grams sugar, Fiber 5 grams fiber, Protein 33 grams protein, Sodium 0.33 milligram of sodium

Tips:

  • Use fresh, high-quality ingredients: This will make a big difference in the flavor of your stew. If you can, try to find sustainably sourced seafood.
  • Don't be afraid to experiment with different types of seafood: There are many different types of fish and shellfish that can be used in this stew, so feel free to mix and match until you find a combination that you like.
  • Be careful not to overcook the seafood: Seafood cooks quickly, so it's important to keep an eye on it and remove it from the heat as soon as it's cooked through.
  • Serve the stew with a crusty bread or rice: This will help to soak up all of the delicious broth.

Conclusion:

Basque-style fisherman's stew is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It is packed with flavor and is sure to please everyone at the table. With a few simple tips, you can make this stew even better. Experiment with different types of seafood, be careful not to overcook it, and serve it with a crusty bread or rice. You won't be disappointed!

Related Topics