Saffron-Scented Catalan Fideuà with Seafood and Aioli

Name: Saffron-Scented Catalan Fideuà with Seafood and Aioli
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: Fish stock; Saffron threads; Bay leaf; White wine; Olive oil; Short pasta (fideuà noodles or broken spaghetti); Onion, finely chopped; Garlic, minced; Red bell pepper, diced; Tomatoes, grated; Salt and pepper; Squid, cleaned and sliced; Shrimp, peeled and deveined; Mussels, cleaned and debearded; Egg yolk; Garlic clove, minced; Lemon juice; Olive oil; Salt

A Coastal Spanish Delight

A traditional Catalan dish, Fideuà is similar to paella but uses short pasta instead of rice, enriched with a fragrant saffron seafood broth and served with a garlicky aioli.

1 h 30 min
4
Intermediate

Ingredients

For the Seafood Broth

Fish stock

4 cups

Saffron threads

1 pinch

Bay leaf

White wine

1 cup

For the Fideuà

Olive oil

2 tablespoons

Short pasta (fideuà noodles or broken spaghetti)

200g

Onion, finely chopped

Garlic, minced

3 cloves

Red bell pepper, diced

Tomatoes, grated

2 ripe

Salt and pepper

To taste

For the Seafood

Squid, cleaned and sliced

200g

Shrimp, peeled and deveined

200g

Mussels, cleaned and debearded

200g

For the Aioli

Egg yolk

Garlic clove, minced

Lemon juice

1 teaspoon

Olive oil

1/2 cup

Salt

To taste

Preparation

Preparing the Seafood Broth

Simmer the stock

In a saucepan, bring the fish stock to a simmer.

Infuse saffron

Add saffron threads, bay leaf, and white wine.

Use high-quality saffron for a more aromatic and authentic flavor.

Gently simmer

Simmer gently for 15 minutes to infuse flavors.

Making the Aioli

Combine base ingredients

In a mixing bowl, whisk together egg yolk, minced garlic, and lemon juice.

Emulsify

Gradually add olive oil in a slow stream while continuously whisking until emulsified.

Season and chill

Season with salt and set aside in the fridge.

Prepare your aioli a day ahead for enhanced flavor.

Cooking Process

Toasting the Pasta

Heat olive oil in a paella pan, add pasta, and toast until lightly browned.

Timing: 5 minutes | Heat: Medium heat

Building the Fideuà Base

Add onion, garlic, and bell pepper, sauté until soft. Stir in grated tomatoes.

Incorporating Seafood and Broth

Add squid, shrimp, mussels, and the prepared saffron broth. Cook until pasta is tender and seafood is done, about 25 minutes.

Plating & Serving