Use any firm fish here, and whatever shrimp or crab you have available. I like making a fish stock from the heads and bones of the fish I am using, but you can skip that and use chicken stock instead, or even water. Use coconut water for the water in the stew if you can get it, otherwise just skip it. Serve this fish stew with rice.
2 to 4poundsfish heads and bones, gills and guts removed
2quartscoconut water or just plain water
1cupchopped onion
2celery stalks, chopped
2carrots, chopped
3bay leaves
A 1-inch piece of ginger, chopped
STEW
2tablespoonsred palm oil, peanut oil or vegetable oil
2cupschopped onion
18-ounce cantomato sauce
1 to 2tablespoonscurry powder
1large potato, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
2sweet bell peppers, diced
2plum tomatoes, diced
1 to 2habanero chiles, minced(optional)
1cupcoconut milk
1poundfish, skinless and boneless, cut into 1-inch chunks
1/2 to 1 poundpeeled shrimp or crabmeat
1/4cupchopped cilantro
Instructions
In a large, heavy pot like a Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium-high heat and saute the onions until soft, but not browned.
Add the tomato sauce, curry powder and potatoes and stir well. Pour in about 6 cups of the broth you just made, or chicken stock. Bring to a simmer and taste for salt. Simmer gently until the potatoes are almost tender, about 20 minutes.
Add the sweet peppers, the chiles, the diced tomato and the coconut milk. Stir well and simmer gently for 10 minutes.
Add the fish and shrimp and simmer until the shrimp are nice and pink, about 5 to 10 minutes. Add the cilantro, cook another minute, then serve.