Zesty Baja Seafood Fiesta Stew
Dive into the vibrant flavors of the Baja Peninsula with this Zesty Baja Seafood Fiesta Stew. Adapted from Betty Crocker's Southwest cooking, this stew is a delightful mixture of fresh seafood, zesty citrus, and aromatic spices, transforming humble ingredients into a dish bursting with rich flavors and essence of the sea. Perfect for gatherings or a sumptuous family dinner, this recipe is sure to impress seafood lovers with its colorful presentation and delightful taste. Serve it with crusty bread or over rice for a complete and satisfying meal.
8
Servings
300
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
medium onion
1 (chopped (about 1/2 cup))
green chili
1/2 cup (chopped)
garlic cloves
2 (minced)
olive oil
1/4 cup (for sautéing)
dry white wine
2 cups (preferably a fruity variety)
orange peel
1 tablespoon (grated)
orange juice
1 1/2 cups (freshly squeezed if possible)
sugar
1 tablespoon (for balancing flavors)
fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon (snipped)
dried basil leaves
1 teaspoon (for depth of flavor)
salt
1 teaspoon (to taste)
pepper
1/2 teaspoon (to taste)
dried oregano leaves
1/2 teaspoon (for herbal warmth)
whole tomatoes
28 ounces (canned, undrained & cut into halves)
soft-shell clams
24 (scrubbed (steamers))
raw shrimp
1 1/2 lbs (medium sized and shelled)
cod
1 lb (cut into 1-inch pieces (can substitute sea bass, mahimahi, or red snapper))
frozen crabmeat
6 ounces (thawed, drained & cartilage removed)
Instructions
1
In a 6-quart Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, green chili, and minced garlic, cooking and stirring until the onion is tender and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
2
Stir in the dry white wine, grated orange peel, orange juice, sugar, fresh cilantro, dried basil, salt, pepper, and dried oregano. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer uncovered for 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
3
Add the undrained whole tomatoes to the pot, breaking them up gently with a spoon. Stir in the scrubbed soft-shell clams, cover the pot, and simmer for 5-10 minutes, or until the clams open. Discard any clams that do not open.
4
Carefully stir in the shrimp, cod pieces, and crabmeat. Bring to a boil again, then reduce the heat and cover. Simmer for an additional 4-5 minutes until the shrimp are pink and the cod flakes easily with a fork.
5
Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot, garnished with extra cilantro if desired.
Nutrition Information
10g
Fat
18.75g
Carbs
30g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Zesty Baja Seafood Fiesta Stew?
It is a vibrant stew featuring fresh seafood, citrus, and aromatic spices, adapted from Betty Crocker's Southwest cooking style.
How many servings does this seafood stew make?
This recipe yields 8 servings.
What are the main seafood ingredients in this dish?
The stew contains soft-shell clams, raw shrimp, cod, and crabmeat.
Can I substitute the cod with other types of fish?
Yes, you can substitute cod with sea bass, mahimahi, or red snapper.
How many calories are in one serving of this stew?
Each serving contains 300 calories.
What is the protein content per serving?
There are 30 grams of protein per serving.
What type of wine is recommended for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of dry white wine, preferably a fruity variety.
How long should I sauté the onions, chili, and garlic?
You should cook and stir them for about 5 to 7 minutes until the onion is tender and translucent.
What size Dutch oven is needed for this stew?
A 6-quart Dutch oven is recommended for this recipe.
What citrus elements are included in the stew?
The recipe uses 1 tablespoon of grated orange peel and 1 1/2 cups of freshly squeezed orange juice.
Why is sugar added to the seafood stew?
One tablespoon of sugar is used to help balance the vibrant flavors of the stew.
How long does the base mixture need to simmer before adding tomatoes?
The mixture should simmer uncovered for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
How should the canned whole tomatoes be prepared?
Use 28 ounces of undrained whole tomatoes and break them up gently with a spoon once added to the pot.
How many clams are required for the recipe?
You will need 24 scrubbed soft-shell clams (steamers).
What should I do if some clams do not open during cooking?
You should discard any clams that do not open after simmering for 5 to 10 minutes.
How much shrimp is needed and how should it be prepared?
The recipe requires 1 1/2 lbs of medium-sized raw shrimp that have been shelled.
When do I add the crabmeat to the stew?
The thawed and drained crabmeat is added in the final cooking stage along with the shrimp and cod.
How do I know when the cod and shrimp are fully cooked?
The shrimp will turn pink and the cod will flake easily with a fork, usually after 4 to 5 minutes of simmering.
What herbs are used to season this Baja stew?
The stew is seasoned with fresh cilantro, dried basil leaves, and dried oregano leaves.
What are some recommended side dishes for this stew?
It is best served with crusty bread or over a bed of rice.
How much fat is in a single serving?
Each serving contains 10 grams of fat.
How many total ingredients are used in this recipe?
There are 18 ingredients in total for this Zesty Baja Seafood Fiesta Stew.
What is the carbohydrate count for this dish?
There are 18.75 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
Is this recipe considered a quick meal?
Yes, it is tagged as a 'quick' recipe, though it involves multiple steps of simmering.
What tags are associated with this recipe's flavor profile?
The recipe is tagged with seafood, baja, southwest, and citrus.
Does the recipe specify a sodium or cholesterol count?
No, the sodium and cholesterol values are not provided in the nutritional data.
How much garlic should be used?
The recipe calls for 2 minced garlic cloves.
What kind of crabmeat should be used?
The recipe suggests 6 ounces of frozen crabmeat that has been thawed, drained, and had the cartilage removed.
Is fresh cilantro used in the cooking process or just as a garnish?
One tablespoon of snipped fresh cilantro is cooked in the stew, and extra can be used as a garnish.
How much green chili is included?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of chopped green chili.