Seafood Dishes

Caldillo de congrio is a hearty Chilean fish soup made with conger eel as its key ingredient. Chopped and cooked conger eel is usually boiled in water, creating a flavorful broth in the process. The broth and the eels are then combined with saut&eacute;ed onions, garlic, tomatoes, carrots, and bell peppers. Optionally, heavy cream can also be stirred into the soup. Caldillo de congrio is typically seasoned with salt and black pepper, and it is garnished with coriander, parsley, or scallions. This nourishing soup is traditionally paired with crusty bread and a glass of wine on the side. Interestingly, the soup is so popular and rooted in Chilean culture that the famous poet and Nobel Prize winner Pablo Neruda wrote a poem called Ode to the Caldillo de Congrio.

Caldillo de congrio

Spain

Caldillo de perro (lit. dog soup) is a traditional Andalusian soup originating from El Puerto de Santa Mar&iacute;a. The soup is usually made with a combination of fresh hake, olive oil, onions, Seville oranges, garlic, and stale bread. The garlic is fried in oil, then discarded. The onions are fried in the same oil, then mixed with water and cooked until soft. The pieces of hake are added to the pot and boiled, and near the end of cooking the juice of Seville oranges is mixed in, along with bits of bread. This soup is traditionally served warm in an earthenware plate called cazuela de barro. If desired, bell peppers, saffron, and parsley can also be incorporated into the soup.

Caldillo de perro

Caldillo de pintarroja is a traditional seafood soup originating from Malaga. It's usually made with a combination of dogfish, garlic, bread, almonds, clams, hot peppers, tomatoes, mint, lemon juice, saffron, wine, olive oil, and salt. The almonds, bread, and garlic are fried until golden, then mixed with cooked and peeled tomatoes, hot peppers, and wine. The fish is boiled separately, and it's then mixed with the rest of the ingredients and saffron. The soup is simmered shortly, and if it becomes too spicy, it's recommended to add a little lemon juice to the pot. Caldillo de pintarroja is especially popular during winter. Originally, it was made in bars for fishermen as a way to sell more beer and wine due to its spiciness.

Caldillo de pintarroja

Caldo de camaron is a Mexican soup featuring tender pieces of shrimp, chayote squash, and carrots in a broth made with chilis and stewed tomatoes. The dish can be found throughout Mexico, and its origins lie with the ancient Nayarit, who used to prepare a spicy chili-based soup with shrimp. It is recommended to garnish the soup with chopped avocado and a squeeze of lime juice.

Caldo de camarón

Peru

Caldo de carachama is a traditional and Ecuatorian soup made primarily from carachama, a type of freshwater fish commonly found in the Amazon basin. This soup is especially popular in the Amazonian regions, where the fish is abundant. The preparation starts by thoroughly cleaning the fish and boiling it until it's tender. A variety of regional ingredients might be added, such as yucca (cassava) and plantains, but garlic, coriander and aji peppers are usually only additions. Caldo de carachama is typically served hot, with sides like rice or a slice of lime to enhance the flavor. Some might also enjoy it with aji sauce or other regional condiments.

Caldo de carachama

Brazil

Caldo de piranha is a traditional soup prepared with piranha fish as the key ingredient. The dish is a specialty of the Pantanal area in Mato Grosso do Sul. Other ingredients that are commonly used to prepare the soup include onions, tomatoes, annatto, chili peppers, and a combination of coriander, parsley, and spring onions. There are also variations with added garlic, lime juice, vinegar, and vegetables such as bell peppers. The piranha, a small bony fish without much meat is cleaned and boiled, then blended for the piranha stock, which is sieved to remove the bones. The onions are saut&eacute;ed in oil with tomatoes, annatto, herbs, chili, and piranha stock, and the combination is simmered shortly before the soup is served. Caldo de piranha is often served in a glass, and it's believed that the soup is especially good for men's virility and strength.

Caldo de piranha

Caldo de siete mares is a popular Mexican soup featuring seafood cooked in a light broth. The dish is most popular in Mexico's coastal regions, where an abundance of fresh, local seafood ensures that the soup has a unique flavor. When it is ready for consumption, it is often served in large bowls with lime wedges and hot sauces on the side for an extra kick.

Caldo de siete mares

United States

Following in the footsteps of the classic New England-style clam chowder, Californian clam chowder is a creamy stew containing clams, potatoes, and onions. The key to making it Californian-style is to carefully tuck the chowder inside a sourdough bread bowl, which is the Californian way to enjoy this iconic American dish. Clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl is believed to have originated in 1849, in the San Francisco restaurant called Boudin, and has since become the signature dish of the city.

Californian Clam Chowder

Vietnam

C&aacute; l&oacute;c nướng trui is a traditional dish and a specialty of the Mekong Delta, consisting of grilled snakehead fish. The dish is made with a combination of snakehead fish, basil, bananas, mangos, cucumbers, carrots, and green onions. The vegetables are thinly sliced and arranged on a serving platter. The fish is washed, speared with a long stick from the mouth to the tail, and it&rsquo;s then buried in straw which is set on fire. When the fire stops burning, the fish should be done. Pieces of the fish are then mixed with the vegetables, sometimes wrapped in rice paper, then dipped into fish sauce or eaten with rice.

Cá lóc nướng trui

This hearty stew is commonly enjoyed in S&atilde;o Tom&eacute; e Pr&iacute;ncipe and Angola. Though it is typically prepared with fresh or dry fish and shrimps, when it goes under the name calulu de peixe, some versions can occasionally employ meat. Additional ingredients include okra, onions, tomatoes, eggplants, and finely chopped greens such as sweet potato leaves or cassava leaves. Calulu is traditionally accompanied by rice or funje &mdash; a creamy cassava porridge.

Calulu

Mexico

Camarones al tequila is a traditional dish originating from Central Mexico. The dish is usually made with a combination of shrimps, white tequila, cream, butter, garlic, roasted bell peppers, corn oil, salt, and pepper. The garlic and bell pepper strips are saut&eacute;ed in butter and seasoned with salt and pepper, while the onions and garlic are saut&eacute;ed in butter in another pan. The shrimps are threaded onto skewers and added to the pan with the onions and garlic. Tequila is poured into the pan and set alight so that the shrimps are flamb&eacute;ed. A bit of cream is added to the pan and cooked for a few minutes. When served, the bell pepper mixture is arranged on a plate, while the shrimps are served on top. The dish is drizzled with the sauce, and it&rsquo;s typically served with white rice on the side.

Camarones al tequila

Camarones el mojo de ajo is a Mexican dish consisting of shrimps fried in butter with lots of garlic, chili, and chopped coriander. Traditionally, the dish is served accompanied by white rice on the side, and it is a custom to squeeze some lime juice over the shrimps. Garlic shrimps are also a great party food, especially for Cinco de Mayo, when it is recommended to pair the dish with some Margaritas.

Camarones el mojo de ajo

Camarones enchipotlados is a traditional dish originating from Central Mexico. Although there are many variations, the dish is usually made with a combination of shrimps, tomatoes, olive oil, chipotle chiles, ginger, garlic, orange juice and zest, salt, and pepper. The tomatoes are halved, seasoned with salt and pepper, brushed with olive oil, and roasted in the oven. The shrimps are marinated in a mixture of tomatoes, hot peppers, and ginger. Orange zest and juice, garlic, and ginger are fried in olive oil and simmered for a few minutes. The marinated shrimps are then added to the pan and cooked until pink. Once done, camarones enchipotlados are typically served with white rice or mashed potatoes on the side.

Camarones enchipotlados

Camarones en salsa de tamarindo is a traditional dish originating from Central Mexico. The dish is usually made with a combination of shrimps, onions, chipotle chiles, garlic, tamarind paste, stock, butter, coriander, and salt. The shrimp shells, butter, onions, chiles, garlic, and tamarind paste are saut&eacute;ed in butter and then mixed with the stock. The mixture is simmered, processed, and strained. The shrimps are cooked in butter, mixed with the sauce, and the dish is then garnished with coriander before serving.

Camarones en salsa de tamarindo

Camarones en verde is a traditional dish originating from Veracruz. It&rsquo;s usually made with a combination of shrimps, garlic, tomatillos, jalape&ntilde;os, hoja santa, roasted avocado leaves, salt, and olive oil. The tomatillos, jalape&ntilde;os, hoja santa, and avocado leaves are cooked in water until the liquid has reduced a bit. The mixture is blended or processed until smooth, and then strained. The shrimps are saut&eacute;ed in olive oil and mixed with garlic paste, consisting of garlic, salt, and water. The tomatillo mixture is added to the pan, the dish is simmered for a bit more, and it&rsquo;s then drizzled with olive oil before serving. Camarones en verde are typically accompanied by fried plantains, tortillas, and white rice on the side.

Camarones en verde

Canh chua is a popular Vietnamese soup originating from the Mekong Delta region. It's characterized by its contrasting flavors - sour, sweet, and savory. The soup incorporates ingredients such as seafood (eel, shrimp, snakehead, catfish), tomatoes, okra, pineapple, tamarind, bean sprouts, and fresh herbs with a tangy flavor. Traditionally, canh chua is served either with rice vermicelli noodles or with a side of steamed jasmine rice. There are numerous versions of the soup depending on the ingredients used in it - besides fish, it can be made with water spinach, chicken, bamboo shoots, mustard greens, pork, or beef. Due to its nutritional value, health benefits, and short cooking time, canh chua has the status of a quintessential Vietnamese meal.

Canh chua

The term canh chua c&aacute; encompasses various fish-based Vietnamese soups that are characterized by their combination of sweet, spicy, and sour flavors. The soups are usually made with a tamarind-based broth, and they typically include chunks of pineapple, tomatoes, okra, bean sprouts, or other vegetables. Most varieties are prepared with catfish, but some versions include carp, snakehead fish, eels, or salmon. These soups are usually topped with cilantro and served with rice on the side.

Canh chua cá

Italy

Capelonghe veneziane is a traditional Venetian way of preparing razor clams. The dish is made with a combination of razor clams (capelonghe or cannolicchi), olive oil, parsley, salt, and black pepper. The razor clams are washed, soaked in cold salted water in order to remove the sand, and then cooked in olive oil until they open. When they open, the razor clams are removed from the pan, while the cooking juices are strained to remove leftover sand. The strained liquid is mixed with olive oil, pepper, and parsley, and the dressing is then poured over the razor clams before serving. Razor clams can also be baked in the oven and dressed the same way. Just be careful not to overcook them as the texture will become rubbery.

Capelonghe veneziane

Capesante in salsa di zafferano is a traditional scallop-based dish originating from Italy. The dish is usually made with a combination of scallops, scallions, carrots, butter, heavy cream, saffron strands, dry white wine, and salt. The carrots are diced and placed in a pan with the scallions, wine, salt, and water. The mixture is brought to a boil and simmered for a few minutes. Scallops are added to the pan and cooked for four minutes before they're removed, halved, placed in the half-shells, and kept warm. The cooking juices are simmered until reduced and mixed with the cream, butter, and saffron in order to make a hot sauce that's poured over the scallops before the dish is ready to be enjoyed.

Capesante in salsa di zafferano

Capitaine &agrave; la Saint-Louisienne is a Senegalese fish specialty consisting of fish that is stuffed with a combination of spices. It is typically prepared with perch, more precisely Nile perch, because capitaine, which translates to captain is the term used for this fish type in Senegal. In Africa, the Nile perch is considered an essential food item and a delicacy. The method of preparation of this dish is similar to that of mulet farci &agrave; la Saint-Louisienne, another Senegalese fish delicacy. Juicy and packed with flavors, this specialty is usually served with a generous drizzle of sauce, accompanied by rice or chips on the side.