Cataplana

I was introduced to this dish by the friend who passed away. It was my first invite to his place for dinner and he came up with a winner! I recall the house was filled with the aroma of something fantastic being prepared in the kitchen and it didn’t disappoint. Food was delicious and finger-licking good!

He made this dish that I had never had before. It was called Cataplana, a Portugese dish from the Algarve region. This seafood stew is made with mussels, fish, potatoes, sausage, saffron, smoked paprika, vegetables, spices and white wine. It is accompanied with bread and I think we had garlic bread with it.

The stew is similar to bouillabaisse or cioppino but healthier because the recipe uses less fat and has fewer calories.

He is gone now, the friend, but I do make it on special occasions. Not that often because it takes work to prepare the meal and I don’t like spending too much time in the kitchen anymore. However, when I do, I find that I have perfected the recipe and although I don’t cook it in a traditional cataplana, it still turns out delicious. What is a cataplana? It is a cooking vessel made out of copper or aluminium and shaped like two clamshells hinged at one end so that it functions like a pressure cooker.

It was a memorable meal when I first had it and it still brings back memories when I make it or try to replicate it at home.

Daily writing prompt

What food would you say is your specialty?