Marmitako – Recipe for a Classic Basque Meal Marmitako is a typical Basque dish. The name in Basque means “from the pot.” What comes from the pot is a delicious stew made primarily from tuna and potatoes. Before it made its way into Basque kitchens, marmitako was a typical meal for Basque fishermen and was prepared while they were on their boats, in search of tuna. Contrary to what one might think, it was traditionally a meal eaten in summer due to the simple fact that the warmer months are when the tunas are out. If it is particularly hot out, the marmitako can also be eaten when it is lukewarm. But it’s so good, I’m sure it can even be eaten cold! Ingredients (for 2 people) 200g tuna fish (1/2 pound) 1 small onion 1 green pepper 2 large potatoes 1 clove of garlic 1-2 dried pepper (pimiento choricero) 1 small tomato (optional) parsley olive oil txakoli (white wine) water salt 1. Cut the vegetables into small pieces. Potatoes need to be peeled and then broken, not sliced. 2. Lightly sauté the onion with some oil until they start to become translucent. 3. Add green pepper, let cook for some minutes. 4. Add potatoes & garlic and let cook for a few more minutes. 5. Add wine (I like to use a fair amount, around 1 cup) 6. Add pimientos choriceros – either add a few tablespoons of the paste from a jar or if you have used real pimientos choriceros, have them soaking in water beforehand until they expand, then cut the meat of the pepper off and get rid of the pepper’s skin. 7. Add water and make sure the level is high enough to cover the vegetables inside. 8. Add salt 9. Cover and let cook slowly, stirring occasionally. Add more water if/when needed. 10. If you want to use tomato, add it towards the end. I use a cheese grater for mine and make it into a salsa before I add it. 11. Once the potatoes are cooked, the marmitako is essentially finished. Add cubes of tuna and cook for 2-3 minutes. 12. Serve marmitako and sprinkle with fresh parsley. marmitako Enjoy with your bottle of white wine!
Posted on: Wed, 26 Nov 2014 08:44:00 +0000