7 fish dishes you must try
Catalan gastronomy is a treasure trove of flavors where sea and mountain cuisine coexist in perfect harmony. Although mountain stews and meat dishes are very well known, fish cuisine has a place of honor on Catalan tables, reflecting its deep connection with the Mediterranean coast. These seven dishes are a journey through the waters of Catalonia, from the Costa Brava to the Ebro Delta, and you can’t leave without tasting them.
1. Suquet de Peix
The Suquet de Peix is the soul of seafood cuisine. A humble dish, born on fishermen’s boats, who used the fish that was not sold to make a stew. This delicacy is prepared with a base of sofrito and a chop of nuts (often almonds and hazelnuts), which binds the intense taste of the fish (such as monkfish, grouper or verat) with potatoes and a concentrated fumet. It is a dish that will make you touch the sky with your fingers and that almost cries out for a good slice of bread to dip it in.
2. Arròs a Banda
Although Arròs a Banda is a Valencian classic, exquisite versions are made in Catalonia, especially in the Costa Daurada and Ebro Delta areas. The key is in the fish fumet, which must be powerful and tasty, made with rock fish. The rice is cooked on the side, absorbing all the flavor of the sea, and is served with seafood and, often, a good aioli.
3. Fideuà
Similar to rice, Fideuà replaces grains with noodles, a simple but brilliant combination. This dish is a festival of marine flavors, where noodles browned in a paella are cooked with seafood (shrimp, king prawns, cuttlefish) and a rich stir-fry. The result is a dish with an irresistible texture, with the noodles crispy on the bottom and full of the taste of the sea on the surface.
4. Esqueixada de Bacallà
For hot days, there is nothing better than a Esqueixada de Bacallà. This refreshing salad is prepared with strips of squeixat cod (hence the name), tomato, onion, pepper and black olives, all dressed with a good drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. It is a dish of contrasts, with the saltiness of the cod that blends perfectly with the freshness of the vegetables.
5. Bacallà a la Llauna
Bacallà a la Llauna is a recipe that dates back to traditional Catalan cuisine. The fish, usually a cod loin, is cooked in the oven or in a metal tray (“tin”) with a stir-fry of tomato, garlic, pepper and a little chilli. The right cooking point and the concentrated stir-fry make this dish a true tribute to simplicity and flavour.
6. Sardines a la Brasa
You don’t have to complicate your life to enjoy good fish. In the summer, in any coastal town, you will find sardines a la brasa or on the grill. Simply with salt and a good oil, the fire does its magic, leaving the skin crispy and the meat tender and full of flavor. They are a staple that will connect you directly with the essence of life by the sea.
7. Mar i Muntanya
Finally, we cannot forget the icon of Catalan cuisine: Mar i Muntanya. This dish, which combines ingredients from the sea and the land in a single casserole, has many variations. The most famous is chicken with lobster or shrimp, or cuttlefish with meatballs. This surprising combination is a demonstration of the creative genius of Catalan cuisine and the richness of its land.
These dishes are just a small sample of the great variety of Catalan fish cuisine. Which of these makes you most want to try?
