RECIPE OF THE MONTH
Brazilian Fish Stew

Makes 5 servings

My good friend Jo introduced me to this recipe last year. It looks complicated, but it isn’t. It is delicious. A great dish when you have about five people for dinner. Serve with a tossed salad.

Serves 5 to 6

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 lbs skinless cod fillet ( ½ to 1 ¼ inches thick)
  • ¼ cup fresh lime juice
  • ½ teaspoon finely chopped bottled malagueta peppers (a type of chili used in Brazil, Portugal and Mozambique. It is a small, tapered, very hot pepper that turns red as it matures). Or substitute ¼ teaspoon dried hot red-pepper 
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped garlic (3 cloves)
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 pound extra-large shrimp in shell (16 to 20 per pound), peeled and deveined
  • 1 ½ pound tomatoes, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • ½ cup chopped green bell pepper
  • 1/3 cup chopped yellow bell pepper
  • 3 small thinly sliced Yukon gold potatoes
  • ½ cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
  • ¼ cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil

Preparation:

Pat fish fillets dry and put in a bowl.

Stir together lime juice, Malagueta peppers, 1 tablespoon garlic, and 1 ½ teaspoons salt, then pour over fish and toss to combine. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator 30 minutes. Add shrimp and chill at least 30 minutes but no more than 1 ½ hours longer.

Put tomatoes in bottom of a wide 5- to 6-quart heavy pot. Top with onion and remaining tablespoon garlic, sprinkle with bell peppers. Layer sliced potatoes on top of vegetables. Sprinkle evenly with remaining ½ teaspoon salt. Arrange fish in one layer on top of potatoes. Sprinkle cilantro and parsley over fish. Arrange shrimp in one layer over herbs. Pour oil and marinade evenly over mixture.

Bring to a simmer; then cover pot. Adjust heat to gently simmer until vegetables are softened and have released liquid and fish is just cooked through, about 20 to 25 minutes.

Recipe courtesy http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Brazilian-Fish-Stew-238413

Nutritional information for one serving: 388 calories, 13.4g fat (2.12g saturated), 29.09g carbohydrate, 38.4g protein