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Cook a delicious seafood Cataplana, the emblematic dish of the Algarve.

Written on : 15 July 2020
By : Léa Frémiot

Are you nostalgic about your holiday in Algarve or would like to have a taste of the gastronomy of the Portuguese coast? In that case, what could be better than making your own seafood Cataplana from the comfort of your own home! We have gone in search of the best recipes of this typical Algarve dish to bring you our favourite as well as some information about this scrumptious dish. 

>>> The complete gastronomy of Algarve
 

What is Cataplana?

What is Cataplana?

Traditionally, Cataplana is a dish in which many local specialities are cooked. The name Cataplana is also used today to refer to the dishes that are prepared in this region and which are usually fish or seafood dishes, which are very common in Portuguese gastronomy due to its strong fishing activity. You will therefore find many different recipes from Cataplana, some of which are even meat-based. 
 
Our favourite recipe :

Ingredients: 
2 medium onions
2 cloves of garlic 
Olive oil for cooking 
2 peppers (one red and one green preferably) 
3 bay leaves 
1 teaspoon paprika 
Chopped cilantro 
4 to 5 peeled and seedless tomatoes 
350g shrimps or prawns 
350g of clams 
300g of mussels 
300g of crab 
1 strongly sliced chorizo (optional) 
200ml of white kitchen wine 
Salt and pepper 
The juice of half a lemon 
1 Cataplana or a large casserole if you do not have a Cataplana 

Steps: 
 
Fry the chopped onion and the garlic and peppers, previously cut into strips, in olive oil. Add the chopped tomatoes as well as the chorizo if you have chosen to add it to your preparation, but also the coriander, paprika and finally the bay leaves.
Introduce the mussels, crab and shrimps, washed thoroughly before gently placing the clams. Then sprinkle the preparation with white wine and water so that all the ingredients are covered. 
Simmer over low heat for about 25 minutes until the sauce has reduced. In the meantime, you can prepare the side dish, which is traditionally made with steamed potatoes or simply sliced bread.
Serve hot and preferably with a quality white wine to accompany the meal. Enjoy your meal!

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