Belgian Carp Stew Recipes

WATERZOOI

Steps:

• In a heavy-bottomed pan, melt the butter over low to medium heat.
• Sauté leeks, potatoes, celery, carrots and onion for 3 minutes. Set aside.
• In a Dutch oven, place the chicken legs and bouquet garni and pour the broth. Season with salt and pepper.
• Cover and bring to a boil over high heat.
• Reduce the heat, cover and continue cooking over low heat for 20 minutes. Add the reserved vegetables.
• Cover and continue cooking for 15 minutes over low heat.
• Remove the bouquet garni.

BEEF CARBONNADE WITH VEGETABLES: BELGIAN BEEF STEW

Steps:

• 1. Combine 2 tablespoons flour and smoked paprika in a large bowl; add the beef chunks. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Toss well to coat evenly. Heat a Dutch oven over medium heat, and add the oil. Brown the meat, in batches, taking care not to crowd the pan, turning to sear all sides, about 6 to 8 minutes per batch. Transfer the beef with a slotted spoon to a plate.
• 3. Add the onion and garlic to the pot and cook, stirring occasionally until just soft, 5 to 7 minutes, adding a few tablespoons water if the pot gets too dark or begins to burn. Add the beer, scraping the browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Stir in the broth, molasses and thyme.
• 4. Return the beef and any accumulated juices to the pot. Cover and reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer until the beef is tender when pierced with the tip of a sharp knife, about 2 to 2 1/2 hours. Add the potatoes, carrots, and parsnips; continue to simmer, uncovered, until the vegetables are tender but not mushy, about 40 minutes more.
• 5. Stir together the remaining 1 teaspoon flour and melted butter to make a paste. Stir the flour mixture into the stew and simmer until the broth is slightly thickened, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Discard the thyme sprigs and season, to taste, with salt and pepper. If desired, sprinkle with parsley. Transfer stew to a serving bowl and serve.

BELGIAN CARP STEW

Steps:

• Place fish bones and heads in a 2 1/2-quart souffle dish with a tight-fitting lid and pour beer over top. Cover with lid and cook in a 650- to 700-watt oven at 100 percent power for 15 minutes. Remove lid and cook for 5 minutes longer.
• Remove from oven and uncover. Strain broth through a fine sieve. Discard solids and reserve broth, there should be about 1 3/4 cups; add water if needed to make 1 3/4 cups.
• In same souffle dish, place 1 tablespoon butter and cook, uncovered, at 100 percent power for 1 minute. Remove from oven and stir in mushrooms, shallots, celery, and parsley. Cover with lid and cook at 100 percent power for 3 minutes.
• Remove from oven and uncover. Stir in fish and add reserved broth. Cover with lid and cook at 100 percent power for 5 minutes.
• Remove from oven and uncover. With a slotted spoon remove all solids to a bowl and reserve the cooking liquid in the dish. In a medium-size bowl whisk together cream and egg yolks. Gradually whisk in about 1 cup of cooking liquid. Whisk mixture back into souffle dish. Cover with lid and cook at 100 percent power for 5 minutes, stirring once during cooking.
• Remove from oven and uncover. Whisk in remaining butter until melted and season with salt and pepper. Return fish and vegetables to souffle dish and serve.