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Holidays & Special Occasions

Arroz de Marisco Festivo (Festive Seafood Rice)

The Quirky Foodster Team

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Ingredients

  • 300 g (10 oz) shrimp, peeled
  • 300 g (10 oz) white fish fillet, cut into chunks
  • 200 g (7 oz) crab meat or crab pieces
  • 350 g (1 3/4 cups) rice
  • 1 (1) onion, chopped
  • 2 (2) tomatoes, chopped
  • 3 (3) garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 tbsp (3 tbsp) palm oil
  • 800 ml (3 1/4 cups) seafood or fish stock
  • 1 (1) chili pepper, whole
  • Salt to taste

Method

  1. Heat the palm oil in a wide pot and sauté the onion and garlic until fragrant.
  2. Add the tomatoes and cook until they break down into a sauce.
  3. Stir in the rice to coat, then add the stock and whole chili; bring to a boil.
  4. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes.
  5. Nestle in the fish, shrimp and crab, cover again, and cook for a further 10-12 minutes until the seafood is cooked and the rice is tender.
  6. Season with salt, remove the whole chili, and serve directly from the pot at the table.

Introduction: A generous, celebratory seafood rice combining shrimp, crab and fish, this dish appears at weddings and large family gatherings across Guinea-Bissau, drawing on the country's rich Atlantic seafood harvest for a dish worthy of celebration.

Cultural Background: A generous, celebratory seafood rice combining shrimp, crab and fish, this dish appears at weddings and large family gatherings across Guinea-Bissau, drawing on the country's rich Atlantic seafood harvest for a dish worthy of celebration.

Tips: Add the more delicate seafood, like shrimp, slightly later than firmer fish to avoid overcooking.

Variations: Add mussels or clams in their shells for an even more festive presentation. Not authentic as a vegetarian dish; the mixed seafood defines this festive recipe.

Storage: Refrigerate for up to 2 days in a sealed container.

Reheating: Reheat gently in a covered pan with a splash of stock to loosen the rice.

Nutrition: Approx. 450 kcal, 34g protein, 12g fat, 52g carbohydrate per serving.

FAQs:

Q: Can this be made ahead for a party?

A: The base sauce can be made ahead; add seafood and rice fresh to serve.

Q: What celebrations is this dish typically served at?

A: Weddings and large family gatherings are common occasions for this dish.

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