Fiš Paprikaš (Slavonian Paprika Fish Stew with Noodles)
Local name: Fiš paprikaš
In short: Chunks of river fish simmered in a fiery red broth of slow-cooked onions and paprika, served over wide egg noodles, from Slavonia in eastern Croatia. It takes about 1 h 20 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 30 min
- Cook
- 50 min
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 1 h 20 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 445 kcal
Fiš paprikaš is the signature of Slavonia, the flat farmland of eastern Croatia, where fish from the Danube and Drava rivers go into a deep red stew. A mountain of onions is cooked until sweet, then paprika and water make the broth, and carp, catfish or pike-perch simmer in it. Traditionally cooked outdoors in a cauldron, it is served with wide noodles and plenty of hot paprika.
Instructions
- Salt the fish with 1 tsp of the salt and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Cut it into thick pieces if needed.
- Heat the oil in a wide heavy pot over medium-low heat. Cook the onions with a pinch of salt for 15 minutes, stirring, until completely soft and golden but not browned. Add the garlic for 1 minute.
- Take the pot off the heat and stir in the sweet and hot paprika so that it does not burn. Return to the heat, add the water, bay leaf and chili, and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Lay the fish in the broth in one layer. Cover and simmer gently for 12 to 15 minutes, until the fish flakes easily at 63°C (145°F). Shake the pot instead of stirring.
- Cook the noodles in salted water following the package directions and drain.
- Divide the noodles among bowls, ladle over the fish and broth, and scatter with parsley.
Tips
- Use any firm freshwater or white fish. Carp is traditional, but catfish, pike-perch or cod also work. Cut it into thick pieces so they hold together.
- Add the paprika off the heat, because scorched paprika turns bitter. Do not stir once the fish is in, just shake the pot.
Questions and answers
How spicy is fiš paprikaš?
It can be very spicy in Slavonia, where hot paprika or fresh chilies go in by the spoonful. Use only sweet paprika for a mild version and let each person add heat at the table.
Can I use frozen fish?
Yes. Thaw it fully in the fridge and pat it dry. Cod or pollock fillets cut into large chunks work well, and need only 8 to 10 minutes in the broth.
What do you serve with fiš paprikaš?
Wide egg noodles are the classic partner, cooked separately and topped with the fish and broth. Crusty bread also works to mop up the sauce.
How long does it take to make Fiš Paprikaš (Slavonian Paprika Fish Stew with Noodles)?
About 1 h 20 min in total: 30 min of preparation and 50 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Fiš Paprikaš (Slavonian Paprika Fish Stew with Noodles)?
About 445 kcal per serving, with 30 g of protein, 40 g of carbohydrates and 18 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 445 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 30 g |
| Carbohydrates | 40 g |
| Fat | 18 g |
| Fiber | 5 g |
| Sugar | 8 g |
| Sodium | 600 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
