Paila Marina is a Chilean seafood dish that is a must-try for seafood lovers. This hearty and comforting dish is made with a variety of fish and shellfish, cooked in a flavorful broth. The dish is a perfect combination of savory, sweet and sour flavors and is a great way to experience Chile’s rich culinary heritage.
Paila Marina
Publisher: Pithy Recipe
Cuisine: Chilean
Category: Soup, Main Course
Prep Time: Cook Time: Servings: 8
Paila marina is a traditional seafood dish from Chile that is typically made with a variety of fish and shellfish, cooked in a broth made from fish stock and tomato. The name “paila marina” literally translates to “mariner’s pot,” as it is a dish that is often served on boats and at seaside restaurants.
The dish is typically made with a variety of fish and shellfish, such as salmon, hake, mussels, clams, and crab. The fish and shellfish are cooked in a broth made from fish stock, tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and spices. Some variations of the dish may also include white wine, coconut milk, or cream.
Paila marina is usually served with bread or rice, and it is a popular dish to share among friends and family. The dish is known for its rich and flavorful broth, which is a combination of the flavors of the fish, shellfish, and the spices used in the dish.
It is a traditional Chilean dish that is often served in a paila (a traditional Chilean pot) and it is a perfect way to enjoy the freshest seafood from the coast of Chile. It is a hearty, comforting dish that is perfect for a cold winter day or a hot summer evening.
Paila marina is a must-try dish for seafood lovers visiting Chile, and it’s a great way to experience the country’s rich culinary heritage.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb salmon fillet, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1 lb hake fillet, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1 lb mussels, cleaned and debearded
- 1 lb clams, cleaned
- 1 lb crab meat
- 2 cups fish stock
- 1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
- 1/4 cup white wine
- 1/4 cup coconut milk (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Olive oil, for cooking
- Cooked white rice or bread, for serving
Note: You can use any seafood you prefer. Feel free to add other ingredients like red pepper flakes, paprika or cumin for added flavor.
Method Instructions
- In a large pot or paila, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add the diced tomatoes and fish stock to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer.
- Add the white wine, cilantro, and salt and pepper to taste. Let the broth simmer for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Add the salmon, hake, mussels, clams, and crab meat to the pot. Cover and let simmer for 10 minutes or until the fish and shellfish are cooked through.
- (Optional) Stir in the coconut milk for added creaminess.
- Serve the paila marina in bowls with white rice or bread on the side. Garnish with additional cilantro if desired.
Rated: 4.9 of 5.0 from 27 reviews.
Recipe Tags: Paila Marina, Paila Marina Recipe, Recipe
Servings
- Ladle the hot broth and seafood into bowls, making sure that each bowl has an equal amount of fish, shellfish, and broth.
- Serve the rice or bread on the side, so that diners can help themselves and add it to the bowl as desired.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley, which adds a fresh and bright flavor to the dish.
- Accompanied with a cold beer, or a white wine.
- As it is a hearty and comforting dish, it is perfect for a cold winter day or a hot summer evening.
- Paila marina is a dish that is often shared among friends and family, so it is a great option for a casual dinner party or a special occasion.
- As it is a traditional Chilean dish, you can serve it in a traditional Chilean pot or paila, which will add a touch of authenticity to the presentation.
Paila marina is typically served in bowls, with the broth and seafood arranged in the center of the bowl. It is usually accompanied by cooked white rice or bread, which can be used to soak up the flavorful broth.
Tips
- Use fresh seafood: For the best flavor, use fresh and high-quality seafood. Make sure to clean and debeard the mussels, and scrub the clams well before using them.
- Adjust the seasoning: Taste the broth and adjust the seasoning as needed. Keep in mind that the seafood will also add saltiness to the dish, so go easy on the salt at first.
- Cook the seafood properly: Be sure not to overcook the seafood as it can become tough and rubbery. The fish should be opaque and flaky, and the shellfish should be open and cooked through.
- Use a good fish stock: A good fish stock will add depth of flavor to the dish. You can make your own fish stock or purchase it from a store.
- Be flexible with ingredients : You can use any seafood you prefer, the above mentioned ingredients are just an example. Feel free to add other ingredients like red pepper flakes, paprika or cumin for added flavor.
- Serve it hot : Paila marina should be served hot and fresh, as the flavors will be most pronounced.
- Don’t skip the garnish: Garnish with additional cilantro as it gives a fresh and bright flavor to the dish.
Storage
- Paila marina is best enjoyed when it is served fresh and hot, but if you have leftovers, allow the dish to cool down to room temperature before storing it in an airtight container.
- Refrigerate the dish as soon as possible, ideally within 2 hours of cooking. Paila marina can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- When you’re ready to reheat the dish, place it in a pot or a microwave safe dish and heat it over medium heat or in the microwave until it’s hot.
- Be sure to stir the dish occasionally to ensure that it heats evenly and the flavors are well distributed.
- You may need to add a bit of water or broth to the dish if the liquid has thickened too much during storage.
- Please, kindly avoid freezing Paila Marina, as the seafood can become tough and rubbery when thawed.
Ingredient Substitutes
- Fish and shellfish: The most commonly used fish and shellfish in Paila Marina are halibut, salmon, and sea bass. You can also use cod, haddock, or any firm white fish. For shellfish, mussels and clams are typically used, but you can also use shrimp, crab, or lobster.
- Fish stock: You can use store-bought fish stock or make your own by simmering fish bones and vegetables in water. In case you don’t have fish stock, you can use chicken or vegetable stock as a substitute.
- Tomatoes: Fresh tomatoes are used in the recipe, and they are blended to make a puree. In case you don’t have fresh tomatoes, you can use canned tomatoes as a substitute.
- Onions: They add depth of flavor and sweetness to the dish. You can substitute onions with shallots or leeks.
- Garlic: Garlic is used to add flavor to the dish. If you don’t have garlic, you can use garlic powder as a substitute.
- Cilantro: Cilantro is used to add a fresh and bright flavor to the dish. You can substitute cilantro with parsley or basil.
- Spices: The recipe calls for cumin and paprika, which add warmth and depth of flavor to the dish. You can substitute cumin with ground coriander and paprika with smoked paprika.
- Lime Juice: Lime juice adds a tangy and sour flavor to the dish. In case you don’t have lime juice, you can use lemon juice as a substitute.
- Olive oil: Olive oil is used to sauté the vegetables and to add flavor to the dish. Any neutral oil can be used as a substitute.
Remarks
In conclusion, Paila Marina is a traditional Chilean seafood dish that is rich in flavor and perfect for seafood lovers. It’s a hearty and comforting dish that is perfect for a cold winter day or a hot summer evening. The dish is made with a variety of fish and shellfish, cooked in a flavorful broth made from fish stock, tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and spices.
Making Paila Marina at home is easy and a great way to experience Chile’s rich culinary heritage. The recipe provided can be adjusted to your liking, feel free to add other ingredients like red pepper flakes, paprika or cumin for added flavor.
When serving Paila Marina, it’s best to serve it hot and fresh, with white rice or bread on the side. It’s a perfect dish for a casual dinner party or a special occasion and it’s a must-try dish for seafood lovers visiting Chile. Give it a try and enjoy the flavors of Chile’s coastal cuisine.
