Rice with Seafood Cocktail

To prepare a delicious seafood and rice recipe, start by finely chopping a medium onion. Place it in a large skillet or a deep pot, add 3-4 tablespoons of olive oil, and sauté it over medium heat. Stir constantly to prevent the onion from burning, for about a minute. The aroma of the sautéed onion will enrich the dish and add depth to the flavor.

Once the onion becomes translucent and slightly golden, add 200-300 g of tomato paste or puree, stirring well to combine the flavors. Now it's time to introduce the seafood, a delightful mix of shrimp, squid, and mussels, about 400 g in total. Mix everything well so that the seafood is evenly coated with the tomato sauce.

Next, add 4 cups of water, making sure everything is well incorporated. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and if desired, you can also add a bit of oregano or basil to enhance the flavors. Cover the pot and let the mixture simmer on low heat, so all the ingredients combine harmoniously.

When the mixture starts to boil, add a cup of rice, preferably long-grain rice, which absorbs flavors well. Stir again and let the dish simmer slowly. It's important to check occasionally, stirring gently to prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom of the pot. Here’s a trick I’ve learned over time: about 5 minutes before the rice is fully cooked, turn off the heat. This way, the rice will continue to absorb the liquid and flavors without drying out too much.

After the cooking time has elapsed, check if the rice is cooked and the seafood is tender. If you think it needs more liquid, you can add a little hot water. Finally, let the dish sit covered for a few minutes to meld the flavors, then serve it warm, garnished with freshly chopped parsley or lemon. Enjoy your meal!

 Ingredients: ~500 g seafood cocktail (I buy it already mixed) ~1 medium onion ~150 g thicker tomato paste or tomato purée ~3-4 tablespoons olive oil ~delikat, salt, pepper to taste (those who like can also add some curry) ~1 cup rice ~4 cups water

 Tags:  onion rice broth oil olives gluten-free recipes lactose-free recipes