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CRAB & SHRIMP STUFFED FISH

If you are a seafood lover, then you’re really going to enjoy this mix of flavors that will take you all the way to Veracruz. There is a place in the State of Veracruz where seafood is the everyday fare.
Course Seafood
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 6
Author Mely Martínez - Mexico in my Kitchen

Ingredients

For the Stuffing;

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ¾ cup onion finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves finely chopped
  • 2 medium size ripe tomatoes finely chopped (about 10 oz.)
  • 1 bay leave
  • 8 oz. crab meat
  • 8 oz. small shrimp
  • 2 tablespoons pimiento-stuffed green olives sliced.
  • 1 teaspoon small capers drained
  • 4 tablespoons flat-leaf parsley chopped.
  • 1 pickled jalapeño pepper sliced.
  • 2 tablespoons pickled carrots diced.
  • ¼ cup dry white wine
  • ½ teaspoon dried Mexican oregano
  • Salt and pepper to season

For the Fish

  • 2 red snapper fish fillets about 10-12 oz. each
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice divided
  • Salt and pepper to season
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 roasted red pepper cut into stripes for garnish.
  • Springs of fresh parsley and lime wedges for garnish.

Instructions

  • In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until transparent. Add the garlic keep cooking for about 3 minutes. Stirring frequently.
  • Stir in the chopped tomatoes and bay leave. Reduce heat and cook in low, until liquid is slightly reduced. Stir occasionally. This step will take about 10 minutes.
  • Add chopped shrimp and crab meat and stir. Stir in the green olives, capers, parsley, jalapeño, carrots, wine and oregano. Season with salt and pepper. Cook in low heat until liquid has reduced, but make sure you do not overcook the shrimp and crab meat. Taste and adjust seasonings. Set aside and let cool. Add chopped shrimp and crab meat, stir. Stir in the green olives, capers, parsley, jalapeño, carrots, wine and oregano. Season with salt and pepper. Cook in low heat until liquid has reduce but make sure you do not overcook the shrimp and crab meat. Taste and adjust seasonings. Set aside and let cool.

STUFFING THE FISH

  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and set aside. Now, while the stuffing is cooling, prepare the fish fillets.
  • Place the fish fillet in a clean work surface. Insert a paring knife into the thickest part of fish fillet and cut down along the side, carefully working around to open the fillet wide (make sure you do not go through the other side).
  • If the fillet is still too thick, place inside a plastic bag and, using a rolling pin or a meat pounder, very gently press down on the fillet to slightly thin the flesh. This is just in case it’s needed. Otherwise skip this step.
  • Season the fillet with salt and pepper and 1 tablespoon of lime juice.
  • Spoon some of the stuffing along the fish fillet center and loosely form a roll.
  • Place the fish rolls on the baking sheet. Mix mayonnaise with remaining tablespoon of lime juice and spread over the fish logs. Use just enough to cover the logs.
  • Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until mayonnaise mixture is dark golden.
  • To serve, gently place the fish rolls onto serving plates and decorate them with the roasted pepper strips, lemon wedges and parsley springs.

Notes

• Drain any excess liquid from the stuffing, in order to avoid any leaking during the baking time.
• If using frozen seafood, make sure to completely defrost and drain before using.
• Fish is very fragile when cooked. For a nice presentation handle carefully while serving.