| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 30 mins – 40 mins | Difficulty: Moderate | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 454 | 21g | 3g | 34g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 9g | 4g | 33g | 1.37g |
Why I Love Portuguese Cilantro Seafood Bread Soup
I’ve always relished the challenge of taking something seemingly foreign and finding a way to place it right at home, snug in my Southern repertoire of dishes. Drawing a delightful line from a Portuguese family dinner right to a quiet afternoon in Charleston, I present to you the Cilantro Seafood Bread Soup, an uproar of flavors telling a sea-side tale. There’s this inherent sense of comfort associated with the Cilantro Seafood Bread Soup; while the recipe may not hail from Southern territories, the echo of familiar coastal seafood exudes a familiar warmth.
How It All Comes Together
In lieu of my beloved biscuits or fried chicken, you’re greeted here with torn chunks of day-old crusty bread, soaking in a robust broth like a beautiful symphony. There’s a delightful balance to the broth; this isn’t your standard seafood stew. The undercurrents of extra-virgin olive oil, garlic, and white wine whisper echoes of Mediterranean shores. Folded into this are hearty ripe tomatoes and a generous helping of bright, fresh cilantro. The infusion of bay leaves is the perfect harmonic note to hold everything together.
Inspiration and Pairing
Lest being exclusively in my comfort zone makes me complacent, I enjoy exploring new territories and gleaning inspiration. I felt a certain kinship with the flair for the fusion of cultures in chef George Mendes’s approach, known for his angled twist on Portuguese gastronomy. While the Cilantro Seafood Bread Soup isn’t directly inspired by him, his tenacity played a part.
Looking for something to serve this soup with? A light green salad with a citrus-based dressing should complement it nicely without overshadowing the starring soup. Alternatively, a platter of lemon zested grilled veggies would not just provide a beautifully contrasting crunch, but also highlight the seafood tones.
The beauty of the Cilantro Seafood Bread Soup lies in how well it straddles the line of comforting and refreshing – the ocean’s bounty enveloped in aromatic flavors, reminiscent of sipping soup by the sea and enjoying biscuits on my front porch. It is the synthesis of my Southern roots and Portuguese vibrancy that creates a culinary composition, which any gourmet guru believes in – food should unfold stories, journeys, and an amalgamation of tradition and innovation.
What You’ll Need
- 1/4 cup of extra-virgin olive oil
- 8 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 1 bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1 pound of ripe tomatoes, finely chopped
- 1 bunch of fresh cilantro, chopped
- 6 cups of fish or vegetable stock
- 1 cup of white wine
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 pounds of mixed seafood (like shrimp, mussels, and clams)
- 1.5 pounds of day-old crusty bread, torn into chunks
- Salt and pepper to taste
Method
Step One
In a large pot, heat the extra-virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic, finely chopped onion, and finely chopped bell pepper. Cook until the vegetables are soft and starting to brown.
Step Two
Add the finely chopped tomatoes to the pot, along with the chopped fresh cilantro. Cook until the tomatoes release their juice and start to break down.
Step Three
Pour in the fish or vegetable stock, along with the white wine. Add the bay leaves and bring the mixture to a boil.
Step Four
Once boiling, reduce to a simmer and add the mixed seafood to the pot. Cover and let cook until the seafood is done, about 10 to 15 minutes.
Step Five
While the soup is simmering, tear the day-old crusty bread into chunks.
Step Six
Once the seafood is cooked, add the bread chunks to the pot. Stir well until the bread is thoroughly coated in the soup. Cook for another 5 minutes, until the bread is soggy and has absorbed some of the soup.
Step Seven
Season your soup with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot, with additional chopped cilantro on top if desired. Enjoy your Cilantro Seafood Bread Soup!
