Seafood Bastilla is one of the most famous Moroccan dishes, considered a luxurious dish often served on special occasions such as weddings and large family gatherings. It is known for its blend of sweet and savory flavors, making it a perfect representation of authentic Moroccan cuisine. Here's a detailed recipe for preparing Seafood Bastilla:
-Ingredients:
-For the filling:
- 500 grams of white fish (such as cod or sea bream)
- 300 grams of shrimp
- 300 grams of squid
- 2 finely chopped onions
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons of chopped cilantro and parsley
- 1 teaspoon of cumin
- ½ teaspoon of saffron
- 1 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1 teaspoon of sweet paprika
- Salt to taste
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 4 tablespoons of olive oil
-For the vermicelli noodles:
- 200 grams of Chinese vermicelli noodles
- 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
- Juice of ½ a lemon
-For the dough:
- 10 sheets of bastilla dough (phyllo dough)
- Melted butter for brushing the dough
-For garnish:
- Lemon slices
- Green or black olives
-Preparation:
Preparing the filling:
- In a large pan, heat the olive oil and add the onions and garlic. Sauté until the onions become translucent.
- Add the shrimp, squid, and chopped white fish. Stir and cook for about 5 minutes until the seafood changes color.
- Add the spices: cumin, paprika, black pepper, saffron, salt, cilantro, and parsley. Mix well and let the٦ flavors blend for 10 minutes while stirring continuously.
- Once the mixture is cooked, add the lemon juice and set it aside to cool slightly.
Preparing the vermicelli noodles:
- Soak the Chinese vermicelli noodles in boiling water for 5 minutes until they become soft.
- Drain the noodles and mix them with soy sauce and lemon juice. Cut them into smaller pieces with scissors and mix thoroughly.
Assembling the bastilla:
- In a round baking dish, place a bastilla sheet and brush it with melted butter. Repeat by layering 4-5 sheets at the base of the dish, making sure some of the sheets hang over the edges to fold over the filling later.
- Spread half of the seafood filling over the sheets, then add a layer of the vermicelli noodles on top.
- Cover the filling with the remaining bastilla sheets, brushing each sheet with butter. Gather the edges of the sheets to fully enclose the filling.
Baking and Garnishing:
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Place the bastilla in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden and crispy.
- Once done, garnish the bastilla with lemon slices and green or black olives
Occasions for Serving Seafood Bastilla:
Seafood Bastilla is typically served during special occasions such as weddings, baptisms, and large family celebrations. It is considered a symbol of hospitality and luxury in Moroccan culture, often served at the start of the meal as a main course or for dinner.
-Serving:
Seafood Bastilla is served hot and is cut into equal portions for easy serving. It can be accompanied by a light salad or some traditional Moroccan appetizers.
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