Italian-style cod, a concentrate of Mediterranean flavors

Cod is a very popular fish throughout the Mediterranean, and there are countless recipes to enjoy it. In this Italian-style cod recipe, a large number of flavors and ingredients typical of that country are combined to achieve a maximum flavor.

French lobster bisque recipe (bisque de homard)

The French term “bisque” refers to a type of velvety soup that could be classified as a waste-recycling recipe, since it is prepared from the shell, legs and other parts that are discarded from the crustaceans. However, the high culinary level of the raw material and the sophistication that the recipe gained within French cuisine, make the lobster bisque a very refined dish. The preparation is equally valid for langoustines, shrimps, prawns, etc., although lobster (homard in French) is the iconic ingredient when we talk about “bisque”.

The Spanish creamy seafood rice that never fails

For this rice I have chosen a very common combination of squid and shrimp, although it is possible to prepare it with almost any seafood. The particularity of rice is its pleasant creaminess, which makes it the Spanish brother of the Italian risotto.

Navarra-style cod recipe (bacalao ajoarriero)

This cod recipe (“bacalao ajoarriero” in Spanish) is a fish stew associated with the Basque Country and Navarra, although many other regions of Spain have similar dishes. It is said that its origin is due to the muleteers who travelled by mule, hence its name. Like any traditional dish, there are countless variations, so we can do without some of the ingredients if desired.

Neapolitan-style octopus (polpo alla luciana)

A traditional recipe from southern Italy, full of Mediterranean flavors, originally called “polpo alla luciana” in Italian. The name “Luciana” is not referred to a woman; it’s actually the demonym of Santa Lucia, a small coastal town near Naples.

Cod with garlic and potato dip (Bakaliaros skordaliá)

“Bakaliaros skordaliá” is a typical recipe from Greek taverns, comparable to the famous English “fish and chips”. In this case, the battered cod is served along with a delicious mashed potato with crushed garlic, which is an unbeatable accompaniment.

Octopus with Greek fava recipe

Octopus with Greek fava, Greek fava with octopus. Separately, two very common dishes in Greek taverns. But both together in the same recipe? It was enough for me to try it just once to understand that it’s a very tasty combination that pairs perfectly.

Spanish rice with octopus recipe

Rice with octopus, octopus with rice. This is an exquisite recipe that can compete with any seafood paella. It carries a little secret that gives it great flavor: instead of using broth or fish stock, as in traditional paellas, in this case we use the resulting water from boiling the octopus.

Basque-style hake recipe (merluza a la vasca)

The Basque-style hake is a quick, simple and nutritious dish. Its ingredients are also a source of high quality protein: hake, clams, eggs and peas. Sometimes it is also called “hake in green sauce” (merluza en salsa verde) due to the color that the peas and chopped parsley give it.

My red tuna tartare recipe

This recipe admits many variations, according to taste and availability. That is why it’s important to know first of all what are the ingredients and spices that go well with tuna, the star of this dish.