Best Marmitako Recipes

MARMITAKO - BASQUE FISH STEW

Steps:

• Start by peeling the potatoes and slicing them roughly. Then peel and thinly slice both the onion and the garlic. Pour the oil into a saucepan and let it warm on the hob until it starts to smoke. Then add the potatoes, the onion and the garlic and let these cook for about 5 minutes, turning occasionaly.
• Next add the bay leaves, the cayenne pepper, and finally a tsp of sweet paprika. Be careful at this point, you need to get the paprika coated in the oil without burning it - to do this successfully stir non-stop for between 20 to 30 seconds then immediately add the water, until the potato mixture is covered. Remove the cayenne pepper, and let the stew boil for 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, prepare the tomatoes and the fish. To easily peel the tomatoes, scald them (cover for half a minute with boiling water) and then remove the skin. Chop the tomatoes roughly and purée them using a fork. Next, cut the fish into small cubes, carefully removing any remaining bones.
• When the 20 minutes are up (this time really depends on the type of potatoes) add the tomato purée and leave the dish simmering on the hob for a further 7 minutes. Then add the tuna, and cook it for just 5 to 7 minutes more - you really have to be careful not to overcook the fish or it won't be tender. Sprinkle with the chopped parsley and serve in bowls.

MARMITAKO

Steps:

• If using dried peppers, remove the stem and seeds and soak in warm water for 1 hour, or until softened. Drain well, scrape off the flesh and discard skins. If using roasted peppers, remove the charred skin, stems and seeds, and chop. Set aside.
• Heat the oil in a large casserole. Add the onions and bell peppers and saute until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and saute another minute to release the aromas. Cover the casserole tightly, reduce the heat to very low, and cook for 15 minutes.
• Uncover the casserole and stir in the paprika and parsley. Increase the heat, add the brandy and flame it. When the flame dies down, stir in the potatoes, carrots, and leeks, and saute 1 to 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes and saute 2 more minutes. Pour in the stock and wine, and add the chile pepper, and reserved dried pepper flesh. Season with salt and pepper, increase the heat and bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 30 minutes.
• Discard the chile pepper halves. Add the tuna to the soup, adjust the seasonings and simmer 3 to 5 minutes. Cover casserole and let sit 5 minutes.
• To serve, ladle warm soup into individual bowls, and float a piece of toasted bread on the top.

MARMITAKO

Steps:

• Cover the bottom of a saucepan with olive oil. Place a layer of onion slices in the saucepan and season with salt. Add a layer of potatoes; season with salt and pepper. Add tomatoes; season with salt, pepper, and 1/2 of the fish bouillon. Place salmon on top. Add remaining tomatoes; season with salt, pepper, and remaining fish bouillon. Layer remaining potatoes and onions on top, seasoning each layer with salt and pepper.
• Cover the pot and place over low heat. Cook until the top layer of onions is tender, about 45 minutes.

MARMITAKO

Steps:

• Cover the bottom of a heavy pan with olive oil. Sautee the onion and garlic. When they´re slightly transparent, add the pepper, and a couple of minutes later, the tomato, and the salt. Leave it to become a pulpy mess, around 15 minutes. Be patient, because it will be much more delicious, and you´ll be peeling the potatoes , anyway. Cut them into chunks, but don´t cut the whole way. Make a small indentation, and turn the knife so that the potato is torn, not cut. This will make the starch seep into the broth and thicken it. Put the potatoes into the sofrito, and add the stock. If it doesn´t cover, add water. Let the potatoes cook. It will take around 20 minutes. When they´re done, put the salted tuna chunks inside. Cover, and wait 5 minutes. If they´re not too big, they should be cooked to perfection. If the broth is very liquid, crush a few of the potatoes in a bowl, and put them back.