Pisillo de Cazon (Venezuelan Shredded Dogfish Stew)

• 1 kg cazón (dogfish or other small shark), boiled, skinned and flaked
• Lemon juice: juice of 1 large lemon or 2 small, to clean the fish (rinsed off)
• ½ cup (100 ml) vegetable oil (sunflower or olive)
• 1 tsp onoto (annatto) seeds, to colour the oil, strained out
• 1 onion, finely diced
• 1 red capsicum (bell pepper), finely diced
• 1 green capsicum (bell pepper), finely diced
• 6 ají dulce (small sweet peppers), finely chopped
• 3 stalks cebollín (spring onion), chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, crushed
• ¼ bunch coriander (cilantro), chopped
• 1 cup fish stock
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp ground black pepper

Method

The cook speaks Spanish; every step is written here in English. Tap a time to watch that step in the video. For subtitles, tap CC in the video, then Settings › Subtitles › Auto-translate › English.

1. Warm the oil with the onoto (annatto) seeds over medium-low heat for 5–6 minutes, stirring, until the oil turns deep red; don't let the seeds burn. Let it cool, then strain. 1:00
2. Rub the cazón all over with the lemon juice to freshen it, then rinse it 3–4 times in clean water. 1:54
3. Cover the fish with water in a large pot, bring to the boil, then cover and cook over medium heat for about 15 minutes. Drain and cool, then flake it, removing cartilage and skin. 2:35
4. In a large frying pan over medium-high heat, fry the onion in the onoto oil for about a minute, then add the red and green capsicum, ají dulce, spring onion and garlic and sauté 2–3 minutes. 3:27
5. Add the flaked cazón and stir it through the sofrito until it takes on the colour. 4:19
6. Add the coriander, salt, pepper and fish stock (it is full of flavour, so go easy on the salt). When it boils, lower to medium, cover and cook about 30 minutes, until most of the liquid has been absorbed. 4:30

Tip. Serves 5 (our estimate from 1 kg cazón). Any firm white fish or shark works. In Venezuela it is eaten with rice and fried plantain or used to fill empanadas; a salad or avocado keeps it lower in carbs. Freezes well.

The method is a summary in our words — the video shows every step.