Be sure to grab my tips for how to make this shrimp stew recipe and ways to serve it!
Cozy stews have the ability to warm you up from head to toe. They are really the reason I look forward to cooler whether, when I can pull out my trusted crockpot or Dutch oven to make a hearty Italian beef stew, Moroccan vegetable tagine, or unstuffed cabbage rolls (all three are so worth trying, by the way!) When I’m in the mood for something extra special, I always look to seafood. Can’t help it, must be the Mediterranean blood 🙂 Saucy Moroccan fish or Sicilian-style fish stew often make an appearance on the table next to some crusty whole wheat bread. This time, I wanted to do something with shrimp, since I had a bag sitting in my freezer. I love baked shrimp, but I wanted to go for something hearty and “saucy.” A shrimp stew so to speak. And lucky for me, I happened upon an inspiration from the eastern coasts of the Mediterranean, and particularly Gaza… A flavor-packed shrimp stew in chunky tomato sauce with bell peppers and warm Eastern Mediterranean spices. My family went nuts for it! This shrimp stew recipe is easy to make. So simple and rustic, the kind you’ll want to make for close friends and family, adding just your favorite bread to sop up all the goodness (and maybe a bottle of your favorite wine) If you’re looking to serve up something homey and comforting, but still unique, this shrimp stew will absolutely deliver. Let me tell you a bit more about it…About this Mediterranean-Style Shrimp Stew This baked shrimp stew takes us to the eastern coasts of the Mediterranean, and particularly Gaza, where the inspiration for this recipe came from. Zibdiyit Gambari, which literally translates shrimp in a clay pot, is a popular signature dish of Gaza’s seaport restaurants. It also resembles a seafood dish from Egypt’s Alexandria, which is fun for this Alexandria lover (Much of my childhood summers were spent in Alexandria eating all sorts of seafood, and the flavors in this shrimp stew did bring back some wonderful memories). And let me tell you, there is no shortage of flavor in this baked shrimp stew! This rustic shrimp stew is cooked in a chunky tomato sauce with lots of fresh garlic, onions and bell peppers. Then come a foursome of warm, earthy spices that bring about a decidedly eastern Mediterranean twist–coriander, sumac (a deep red, tangy spice from sumac berries), cumin, and cardamom. For just a bit of a kick, I add some chili pepper flakes (and if you want to go for the real deal spicy version, feel free to add some chopped hot peppers or jalapenos). And, I just love the unexpected addition of toasted sesame seeds and pine nuts. Both are optional, but I think they really add great nuance and texture to this comforting dish. In my version of this saucy baked shrimp stew, I used large shrimp or prawns, although smaller shrimp is more typically used. Traditionally, this Mediterranean-style shrimp stew is cooked in what is known as zibdiyas, which are handmade porous clay bowls. But you can use any oven-safe pot or cast iron skillet with a lid, ramekins or a stoneware baking dish will work great as well!
How to Make this Baked Shrimp Stew Recipe:
There are really two components to this easy baked shrimp stew recipe: 1) make the sauce 2) add shrimp and bake. Here is how it goes: – First step is to prepare the chunky tomato sauce. Start by sauteing onions, bell pepper, an garlic. Then, add spices and cook for a few seconds to a minute till nice and fragrant. From there, we add the tomatoes and water and let things simmer for about 10 to 15 minutes or so.
– Then, if you’re not already using an oven-safe skillet, transfer the sauce to an oven-safe baking dish. Add shrimp and be sure to nestle it well in the sauce. Stir in fresh parsley, toasted sesame seeds and pine nuts. Cover and bake briefly (about 7 to 9 minutes or so in 375 degree F heated-oven. Ovens vary). Uncover and place under broiler briefly until shrimp is ready (shrimp is cooked when it turns from grey to an opaque pink).
Important Tips
- If shrimp is frozen, thaw properly before you start making this stew. If you think of it in advance, put your shrimp in the fridge to thaw overnight. Or, to quickly thaw shrimp, place it in a colander in the sink and run cold water over them for about 5 minutes. Toss the shrimp a bit to make sure they are all exposed to the cold water.
- How to Know if Shrimp is Ready? Shrimp cooks pretty quickly, so you’ll want to be watchful of that, particularly because ovens do vary. It should take somewhere between 7 and 9 minutes, covered. Then, if you like, uncover and place it under the broiler until it’s ready. Shrimp is ready when it turns from grey to an opaque pink (look at the thickest part of the shrimp, and if it’s no longer grey, shrimp is ready.) It should have a nice bite to it and should not feel dry or rubbery. For more helpful tips about working with shrimp be sure to check out our Guide to Buying and Cooking Shrimp.
What to Serve Along this Shrimp Stew Recipe?
This warm-your-belly shrimp stew is great with some crusty bread to pick up the tasty sauce. But I also like to serve it on top of this Greek lemon rice, Lebanese rice, quinoa or grain of choice. And you can easily turn it into an Eastern Mediterranean feast by adding a side of Baba Ganoush or Hummus; and a salad such as Balela, Fattoush or Tabouli
More shrimp recipes:
Shrimp Orzo Soup Grilled Shrimp with Roasted Garlic Cilantro Sauce Spicy Shrimp and Chorizo Couscous
See More Stew Recipes here
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*This post originally appeared on The Mediterranean Dish in 2015 and has been recently updated with new information and media for readers’ benefit. Enjoy! 4.9 from 37 reviews
