Basque Fish Soup Recipes

BACALAO A LA VIZCAINA (BASQUE STYLE CODFISH STEW)

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.

SPANISH BASQUE SEAFOOD STEW RECIPE

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

BASQUE FISH SOUP

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, saute onions, celery and garlic in butter until tender, about 7 minutes.
• Stir in tomatoes, wine, parsley, salt, pepper and thyme. Cover and simmer 30 minutes.
• After the 30 minute simmer you can refrigerate or freeze the tomato mixture, if desired and continue as directed below**.
• Add the fish and simmer 7-10 minutes or until the fish is opaque and flakes easily.
• **reheat tomato mixture by covering and simmering for about 10 minutes or until hot. Continue as directed in step #4.

BASQUE FISH SOUP

Steps:

• 1. In a large sauce pan, saute the onion and celery in butter until soft.
• 2. Stir in the tomatoes, wine and spices.
• 3. Cover and simmer for 30 min to blend the flavors.
• 4. While the mixture is simmering, cut the fish into 1" chunks.
• 5. Once the mixture has simmered for 30 min you can add the fish chunks to the mixture and simmer for an additional 10 min or until the fish is white and opaque.