Caribbean Seafood Stew

Caribbean Seafood Stew

Seafood is one of the most common cuisine types in the Caribbean islands, and each island often has its own specialty. In this stew recipe, shrimp and fish fillets are cooked in a spicy coconut sauce made from finely chopped jalapeno pepper and minced garlic. Serve this stew over rice, another Caribbean mainstay, for a unique and complete meal.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon lime juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 pound skinless orange roughy or red snapper fillets, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped green sweet pepper
6 cloves garlic, minced (1 tablespoon)
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped
1 14-1/2-ounce can diced tomatoes
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut milk
8 ounces peeled and deveined uncooked medium shrimp
1/2 cup snipped cilantro
2 cups hot cooked rice
2 tablespoons snipped fresh cilantro
Bottled hot pepper sauce (optional)

Directions

In a medium bowl stir together 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Add fish cubes; toss to coat. Set aside.
In a 3-quart saucepan heat remaining oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion, sweet pepper, garlic, and jalapeno. Cook and stir 4 minutes until onion is tender but not brown. Stir in undrained tomatoes and coconut milk. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Stir in shrimp, fish mixture, and 1/2 cup cilantro. Return to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes or until fish just flakes easily with a fork and shrimp turn opaque, stirring occasionally.
Serve over hot cooked rice. Sprinkle with remaining cilantro. Pass hot pepper sauce, if desired.
Makes 4 to 6 servings.