Brudet – Croatian fish stew recipe

Have you ever heard of Croatian brudet? If not, then you’re in luck, because this delicious seafood stew is a specialty dish from Croatia definitely worth trying! In this article, we’ll be taking a closer look at what exactly goes into making brudet and how to prepare it for yourself. So if you’re looking for a great new dish to add to your repertoire, make sure to keep reading! 

But what is brudet? Brudet is a seafood stew that’s especially popular in Croatia’s regions of Dalmatia, Kvarner and Istria. What makes it so appealing is the fact that brudet is a fish stew that loves and welcomes all kind of fish. As most Mediterranean fish stews, it was created as a dish that will use up all the leftover fish that wasn’t sold at the market. There are variants of this dish all over the world — the French call it bouillabaisse, Italians brodetto, and the Brasilians moqueca, and each cuisine has its way of preparing this delicious fish stew.

This traditional Mediterranean fish stew is packed with flavor, and adding extra herbs and spices can take it to the next level. Making a brudet requires some time and effort but the result is absolutely worth it! 

Introduction to Croatian brudet 

Brudet is a great way to cook a variety of seafood in one dish, as it allows you to mix and match different types of fish and shellfish. It’s also a great way to get creative with your ingredients and add additional herbs, spices, and vegetables for extra flavor.

The history of brodotto is long and varied. The dish has its roots in the Mediterranean, where it was likely first created by fishermen who were looking for a way to use up their catch. Over time, the dish evolved and spread to other parts of the world.

Today, brodotto is a popular dish in Croatia and is often made during holidays and special occasions. It is also becoming increasingly popular in other parts of the world as people learn about this delicious stew and taste it for themselves. 

There are as many brudet recipes as there are Croatians who eat it, and everybody has their own family method or special ingredient. But, there are two rules! The first one is to never ever put a lid on your pot while cooking brudet, and the second is to never stir the dish, as you risk your fish falling apart. Instead, just carefully shake the pot. 

How to prepare brudet: step-by-step

Here is the basic recipe, and we encourage you to add your own twist to it. 

The stew can be adjusted to include whatever type of seafood you prefer, and it’s an excellent way to sample a variety of different flavors from the Adriatic Sea. It’s an easy dish to make, but it takes some time and patience to get the perfect flavor.

1. Before you start cooking, it’s prep time — peel and chop the onion and garlic, and clean the fish. When prepping the fish, cut it into large chunks, so it won’t fall apart into little pieces when cooking.
2. Start cooking by sauteing the onion and garlic in some olive oil. After the onion starts to wilt, add the canned tomatoes. Leave it sizzling for 10 min and start adding your fish. 
3. Once you’ve arranged the fish in the pot, pour in the wine and top it off with water. The water should be covering all ingredients. Salt and pepper the dish and leave it cooking for about half an hour.
4. Serve this beautiful Mediterranean fish stew with baked polenta and delicious white wine.

Variations of the traditional brudet

There are many variations of brudet. Some recipes include fish, while others add shellfish or squid. Some versions use tomatoes as the base, while others are made with a white wine sauce. Whatever the ingredients, brudet is always a hearty and flavorful dish. 

1. Fish and Shellfish Brudet: This hearty dish combines a variety of seafood, such as cod, mussels, and shrimp, with tomatoes, onions, garlic, and white wine.
2. Squid and Shrimp Brudet: This version features squid and large prawns or shrimp in a flavorful tomato-based sauce.
3. Vegetable Brudet: For a vegetarian version of the dish, try adding mushrooms, peppers, carrots, and other vegetables to a tomato sauce.
4. White Wine Brudet: A brudet made with white wine instead of tomatoes has a milder flavor but is still highly flavorful due to the aromatic herbs used in the dish.
5. Seafood Stew: For an even heartier stew, add potatoes and other root vegetables to your brudet for an all-in-one meal that is sure to satisfy everyone at the table!

After trying the brudet, we encourage you to have a taste of other Croatian specialties and discover the many benefits of Mediterranean cuisine.

If you’re looking for even more foodie inspiration, we have plenty of choices. All you have to do to take a bite is book your stay. Contact us today and let’s make a reservation on that brudet dinner!