Zarzuela Food

ZARZUELA DE MARISCOS (SPANISH SEAFOOD STEW)

Steps:

• Add the saffron to the white wine and let it steep for 20-30 minutes.
• Make the almond paste. Add the almonds, parsley, garlic and olive oil to a food processor and pulse it until it forms a thick, grainy paste (don't overblend it into a smooth paste). Set it aside.
• Heat the olive oil in a large stock over medium heat. Add onions and cured pork and saute for about 5 minutes until onions are softened and translucent. Add garlic in the last minute.
• Add the brandy and white wine with saffron and simmer for about 5 minutes.
• Add the tomatoes, fish stock and clam broth. Simmer another 5 -10 minutes.
• Add the paste and stir it in. Simmer a few more minutes.
• Add the clams and mussels and simmer gently until the shells open. Stir once or twice so they cook evenly.
• Turn off the heat. Add the rest of the seafood, cover the pot and let it cook in the heat of the broth for 5 - 10 more minutes. Stir occasionally to submerge everything in the broth.
• Ladle into individual bowls and add optional seasonings, to taste.

ZARZUELA

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large pot. Add the garlic and cook, being careful not to burn. Add the onions and peppers and saute for about 2 minutes. Add the marjoram, crushed red pepper, thyme and bay leaves. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and saute for 1 minute. Stir in the chili powder and saffron and cook for 30 seconds. Add the chicken stock and wine and bring to a boil. Add the tomatoes and brandy, if using, and bring to a boil. Add the fish, mussels, clams and shrimp, stir and bring back to a boil. When the clams open up, turn off the heat. Add the olives and squid, stir and let stand a few minutes. Discard the bay leaves and serve.

ZARZUELA DE MARISCOS

Steps:

• In a large enameled cast iron or other flameproof casserole, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions, garlic, and peppers and cook for 5 minutes, or until softened. Stir in the prosciutto and cook for 3 minutes more, stirring occasionally. Add the tomatoes and increase the heat to medium high. Stirring frequently to prevent the mixture from scorching, cook until the liquid from the tomatoes has evaporated. Stir in the ground almonds, saffron, thyme, rosemary, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes, and wine. Reduce the mixture until the wine has almost all evaporated. Add the fish stock and lemon juice, bring the mixture to a boil and add the clams and mussels. Reduce the heat to medium, cover the pan and cook for 10 minutes. Add the shrimp, scallops, and squid and cook for 5 minutes more, by which time all of the shellfish should have opened. Remove and discard any that have not. Taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary, and serve straight from the casserole into heated soup bowls, garnished with a wedges of lemon and toasted bread.

ZARZUELA

Steps:

• If the lobster is fresh, it must be cooked first Also cook the Dublin prawns first Heat 3 tablespoons of oil and fry the onions over a low heat, adding a few drops of water.
• When the onions are lightly golden, add the tomatoes until the oil separates and appears at the top , then put to one side. This is the "sofrito" Heat a little more oil and fry the bread.
• Place in a mortar with the almonds and 1 1/2 cloves of garlic and pound together to a fine paste or "picada" Put to one side To prepare the lobster, split it in half lengthwise. Remove and discard the intestinal vein which runs down the tail.
• To prepare the squid, pull the head, and tentacles away from the body.
• Pull off and discard the skin.
• Split the body in half to remove and discard the transparent bond section.
• Cut off the tentacles above the eye. Discard head and material inside the squid Wash remaining squid and slice. Season the monkfish,halibut, and lobster with salt and dust with a little flour.
• Heat a little oil and brown each fish separately, then the same with the prawns, squid and Dublin Bay prawns.
• As each is finished cooking drain, and arrange in a large flameproof earthenware dish.
• Add the mussels and clams.
• Add the remaining garlic and parsley and stand the dish over low heat. Pour over the brandy and flambe.( Light on fire) Pour in the "sofrito", just cover with hot water, bring to a boil and simmer for 4 minutes until the clams and mussels have opened.
• Discard any that remain closed.
• Mix in the "picada" and season to taste with salt. Cook for a further 5 minutes and serve immediately.
• IF YOU HAVE ANY ENERGY LEFT, enjoy!