Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 2-3 portions
Ingredients
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2 sea bass or cod steaks (about 2.2 lbs), plus trimmings (head/tail) or small pieces for the broth
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1 tablespoon Perfeito Fish Seasoning or Perfeito All-Purpose Seasoning
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1 carrot, peeled and chopped
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1 onion, chopped
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1 stalk of leek, chopped
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4 ¼ cups of water
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1 tablespoon annatto seeds
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3.4 fl oz vegetable oil (canola, corn, soybean, or sunflower)
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1 chopped onion
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4 chopped tomatoes
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2 minced garlic cloves
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Fresh cilantro leaves, to taste
Instructions
1. Prepare the Fish and Seasoning
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Season the fish with Perfeito and set aside.
2. Make the Annatto Oil
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In a small saucepan, combine the annatto seeds and vegetable oil over low heat. Let it heat for about 5 minutes, then turn off the heat and let it sit for 15 minutes to infuse. Strain the oil before using.
3. Prepare the Fish Broth
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In a separate pot, add the fish trimmings (or small fish pieces), chopped carrot, onion, and leek.
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Pour in the water and bring to a boil over low heat. Let it simmer for 20 minutes to create a rich broth.
4. Assemble the Moqueca
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In a large casserole dish, layer half of the chopped tomatoes, onion, and garlic.
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Place the seasoned fish on top of the vegetables.
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Drizzle with 1-2 tablespoons of the annatto oil for added flavor and color.
5. Cook the Stew
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Cover the fish with the remaining chopped tomatoes, onions, and garlic.
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Pour in the prepared fish broth until the fish is fully submerged.
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Sprinkle fresh cilantro over the top, then cover and cook the stew over low heat for 35 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this fish stew with a side of hot pepper sauce for a spicy kick, or pair it with a fresh, crusty bread to soak up all the delicious broth.