Sopa de Mariscos Panameña
A hearty and flavorful seafood soup, brimming with a variety of fresh seafood in a rich, aromatic broth. This dish is a celebration of Panama's coastal bounty.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 lb Shrimp(peeled and deveined)
- 0.5 lb Scallops
- 1 lb Mussels(scrubbed and debearded)
- 1 lb White fish fillets(such as snapper or corvina, cut into chunks)
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 medium Yellow onion(chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 medium Red bell pepper(chopped)
- 1 medium Green bell pepper(chopped)
- 14.5 oz Tomatoes(diced, undrained)
- 6 cups Fish or seafood stock
- 0.5 cup Dry white wine
- 0.25 tsp Saffron threads
- 1 large Bay leaf
- 0.25 cup Cilantro(chopped, for garnish)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
💡 Tip: Do not brown the onion. - 2
Add garlic and bell peppers, and cook for another 5 minutes until peppers begin to soften.
- 3
Stir in diced tomatoes, fish stock, white wine, saffron threads, and bay leaf. Bring to a simmer.
💡 Tip: Crush the saffron threads slightly before adding to release more flavor. - 4
Add the fish chunks to the simmering broth and cook for 5 minutes.
- 5
Add shrimp and scallops, and cook for 3-4 minutes, until they turn pink and opaque.
- 6
Add the mussels. Cover the pot and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the mussels have opened. Discard any mussels that do not open.
💡 Tip: Ensure the pot is covered to steam the mussels open. - 7
Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste. Remove the bay leaf.
💡 Tip: Taste and adjust seasoning carefully, as seafood can be naturally salty. - 8
Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh cilantro.
💡 Tip: Serve immediately with crusty bread for dipping.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Use a variety of fresh, high-quality seafood for the best flavor.
- ✓Don't overcook the seafood, as it can become tough.
- ✓Adjust the amount of saffron to your preference; it can be quite potent.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add a splash of heavy cream at the end for a richer broth.
- Include other seafood like calamari rings or crab legs.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a touch of heat.