Paila Marina
Paila Marina is a traditional Chilean seafood stew, known for its rich broth and an abundant variety of fresh seafood. It's a comforting and flavorful dish often enjoyed along the Chilean coast.
🧂 Ingredients
- 2 lbs Assorted fresh seafood (mussels, clams, squid, shrimp, white fish fillets)(cleaned and prepped)
- 3 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 medium Onion(finely chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 medium Red bell pepper(diced)
- 1 medium Tomato(diced)
- 1 cup White wine
- 4 cups Fish or seafood stock
- 1 tsp Smoked paprika
- 1 tsp Ground cumin
- 0.5 tsp Chili flakes(optional)
- 1 medium Potato(peeled and diced)
- 0.5 cup Fresh cilantro(chopped, plus more for garnish)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- for serving Lemon wedges
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the seafood: clean mussels and clams, devein shrimp, and cut fish fillets into chunks. Keep refrigerated.
💡 Tip: Ensure all seafood is fresh and properly cleaned. - 2
Heat olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until translucent and fragrant (about 3-4 minutes).
- 3
Add diced red bell pepper and tomato to the pot. Cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables soften.
- 4
Pour in the white wine, scraping the bottom of the pot to deglaze. Let it simmer for 3 minutes to reduce slightly.
- 5
Add the fish or seafood stock, diced potato, smoked paprika, cumin, and chili flakes (if using). Stir well and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, or until potatoes are tender.
- 6
Gently add the mussels, clams, and squid to the pot. Cover and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the mussels and clams open. Discard any that remain closed.
- 7
Add the shrimp and fish chunks. Stir gently and simmer for an additional 5 minutes, or until shrimp are pink and fish is cooked through.
- 8
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper. Remove from heat and stir in the chopped cilantro.
💡 Tip: Seasoning at the end allows you to perfect the flavor. - 9
Ladle the Paila Marina into large bowls, ensuring an even distribution of seafood and broth. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with lemon wedges on the side.
💡 Tip: Serve immediately for the best experience.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Use the freshest seafood available for the best flavor.
- ✓Don't overcook the seafood, as it can become tough.
- ✓Adjust the chili flakes to your preferred level of spice.
🔄 Variations
- Add other types of seafood like scallops or crab legs.
- Some recipes include a splash of brandy or a pinch of saffron for added depth of flavor.