Spanish Delights: Croquetas & Zarzuela
Experience the authentic taste of Spain with this blog post featuring crispy Croquetas (jamón, black pudding & apple) as a starter, and a detailed recipe for a spicy seafood Zarzuela, brimming with monkfish, cod, jumbo prawns, and mussels.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 1 green bell pepper diced
- 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
- 0.25 tsp saffron threads crushed
- 0.25 tsp chili flakes optional
- 400 g canned crushed tomatoes
- 0.5 cup dry white wine
- 2 cups fish broth
- 200 g monkfish fillets cut into 1-inch chunks
- 200 g cod fillets cut into 1-inch chunks
- 200 g jumbo prawns peeled and deveined
- 500 g fresh mussels scrubbed and de-bearded
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
- pinch salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion and bell peppers, sauté until softened, about 8-10 minutes.
- Add minced garlic, smoked paprika, saffron, and chili flakes (if using). Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes and white wine. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, allowing the alcohol to evaporate.
- Pour in the fish broth, bring the mixture back to a gentle simmer. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Gently add the monkfish and cod chunks to the stew. Cover and cook for 5-7 minutes, until the fish starts to flake.
- Add the jumbo prawns and mussels. Cover and continue to cook for another 3-5 minutes, or until the prawns are pink and cooked through, and the mussels have opened (discard any that don't open).
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Ladle the Zarzuela into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve immediately with crusty bread.
Notes
For a true Spanish dining experience, consider preparing homemade Croquetas as an appetizer; classic Jamón Croquetas and a unique Black Pudding & Apple Croqueta are excellent choices. Serve the Zarzuela hot with plenty of crusty bread to soak up the rich, flavorful sauce. A sprinkle of fresh parsley before serving adds a wonderful touch of freshness. This recipe focuses on the Zarzuela, complemented by the mentioned croquetas.