Fideuà

Fideuà is a traditional Spanish dish, similar to paella, but made with thin noodles called “fideos” instead of rice. While there are several variations of the recipe, here is a classic version with an Italian twist:

Ingredients

• 400 g of fideos or broken-up vermicelli
• 800 g of mixed seafood (squid, shrimp, cuttlefish, etc.)
• 1.5 L of fish stock
• 1 chopped onion
• 2 cloves of minced garlic
• 1 red bell pepper, cut into strips
• 400 g of peeled and chopped tomatoes
• Saffron or food coloring (for color)
• 4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Some chopped parsley (for garnish)
• Lemon slices (to serve)
• (Optional) A tuft of wild fennel to add an Italian flavor

Preparation

1. In a paella pan or a wide skillet, sauté the onion and garlic in extra virgin olive oil until transparent.
2. Add the red bell pepper and cook for another 5 minutes.
3. Put the fideos in the pan and toast them lightly until golden brown.
4. Add the chopped tomatoes and cook for a few minutes.
5. Stir in the mixed seafood and cook for a couple of minutes.
6. Pour the hot fish stock and sprinkle the saffron or food coloring.
7. Season with salt, pepper, and add the wild fennel if desired.
8. Cook over medium-high heat without stirring for about 10-15 minutes, or until the broth is absorbed and the fideos are al dente.
9. Remove from heat and let it rest for a few minutes.
10. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve with lemon slices on the side.

Fun Fact

Fideuà originated from the region of Valencia, and like many traditional recipes, it is the fruit of what fishermen had available on their boats. It is said to have been a “poor man’s dish,” but its popularity has transcended local borders, becoming a symbol of Valencian and Spanish cuisine in general.

I hope you enjoy this version of Fideuà with a slight Italian twist!