Georgina Hayden's smoky prawn, new potato, and spinach stew offers a delightful Spanish-inspired dish that is both quick to prepare and impressive to serve. This recipe is ideal for a midweek dinner or when hosting friends, as it combines special presentation with effortless cooking techniques.
Effortless Entertaining with a Spanish Twist
This stew captures the essence of Spanish cuisine with its smoky paprika and garlic-infused base. The dish is designed to minimise last-minute cooking, allowing hosts to focus on socialising. For added convenience, the potato base can be prepared in advance, with the spinach and prawns added just before serving.
Ingredients and Preparation
The recipe requires simple ingredients: olive oil, garlic, smoked paprika, chilli powder, tomato puree, ripe tomatoes, fish stock, new potatoes, lemon, baby spinach, king prawns, mayonnaise, and flat-leaf parsley. Preparation takes only 5 minutes, with a cooking time of 35 minutes, serving four people.
Cooking Instructions
Begin by heating olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-low heat. Add sliced garlic and fry briefly before stirring in paprika, chilli powder, and tomato puree. After a minute, incorporate chopped tomatoes, season generously, and cook for about 10 minutes until the tomatoes soften.
Next, add fish stock and halved new potatoes, along with lemon juice, bringing the mixture to a boil. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in baby spinach, cover again, and cook for two minutes until wilted.
Once the potatoes are tender, preheat the grill to high. Remove the lid, scatter prawns over the stew, drizzle with olive oil, season, and grill for four to five minutes until the prawns are pink and slightly charred.
Serving Suggestions
While the stew grills, prepare a quick aïoli by mixing grated garlic and lemon juice into mayonnaise. Serve the stew topped with chopped parsley and a dollop of aïoli, accompanied by a peppery salad and crusty bread to soak up the flavoursome juices.
This stew not only delivers rich, smoky flavours but also provides a versatile option for busy evenings or casual gatherings. Its combination of seafood, vegetables, and aromatic spices makes it a standout dish in any home cook's repertoire.
