Moroccan Seafood Bastilla: A Savory Celebration of the Sea

Experience the exotic flavors of Morocco with this unique twist on a traditional dish. This Moroccan Seafood Bastilla brings together the best of the ocean—succulent shrimp, tender squid, and delicate white fish—with the warm, aromatic spices of North Africa. Wrapped in light, crispy pastry sheets and enriched with hints of preserved lemon, green olives, and fresh herbs, this dish is perfect for a festive dinner or a special family gathering.

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Recipe Details

• Cuisine: Moroccan

• Dish Type: Seafood, Appetizer/Entrée

• Preparation Time: 20 minutes

• Total Time: 50 minutes

• Serves: 4

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Ingredients

• For the Filling:

  • 250 g small bastilla (phyllo) sheets

  • 300 g shrimp, peeled

  • 300 g squid, cut into cubes

  • 300 g white fish, cut into pieces

  • 100 g rice noodles

  • 80 g green olives, pitted and chopped

  • 1/4 preserved sour lemon, chopped

  • 150 g white mushrooms, finely chopped

  • 1 onion, chopped

  • 1 garlic clove, minced

• For the Seasoning & Marinade:

  • 100 g melted butter, divided

  • Juice of ½ a sour lemon

  • 5 tablespoons olive oil

  • 1 teaspoon black pepper

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 2 teaspoons harissa (hot red pepper paste)

  • 2 tablespoons chopped coriander and parsley

• For Assembling:

  • 1 egg, lightly beaten

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Directions

1. Prepare the Seafood

• Brown the Shrimp and Squid:
  In a large skillet set over high heat, melt 3 tablespoons of butter. Add the shrimp and squid, and sauté for 2–3 minutes until they start to turn golden and are just cooked. Transfer them to a bowl and set aside.

• Sear the White Fish:
  In the same or another skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over high heat. Add the pieces of white fish and cook for another 2–3 minutes until lightly browned. Remove from heat and add to the bowl of seafood.

2. Sauté the Vegetables and Spices

In a separate pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, garlic, and mushrooms. Stir in the harissa along with the chopped green olives and all the spices—black pepper and salt. Sauté this mixture for about 5 minutes. Midway through cooking, add the preserved lemon and the chopped herbs (coriander and parsley) to infuse the dish with their vibrant flavors.

3. Soften the Rice Noodles

Soak the rice noodles in hot water for 5 minutes until they soften. Drain, then cut them into smaller pieces. Gently fold them into the seafood mixture along with the sautéed vegetables. Drizzle with the lemon juice and toss carefully to combine all the flavors. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.

4. Assemble the Bastilla

• Prepare the Pastry:
  Divide the seafood filling into four equal portions. For each portion, lightly butter a small, round baking mold. Line the mold with a single bastilla (phyllo) sheet, brushing it generously with some of the melted butter.

• Fill and Fold:
  Place one portion of the filling on the pastry. Cover the filling with another bastilla sheet brushed with butter and then fold the edges inward to enclose the filling tightly. Brush the assembled pastry with a mixture of melted butter and beaten egg to give it a beautiful, golden finish during baking.

• Repeat:
  Continue the process with the remaining portions of the filling, arranging each prepared bastilla in a butter-greased baking tray with the folded seams facing downward.

5. Bake to Perfection

Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Bake the bastillas in the prepared tray until they turn a delightful golden color—this should take approximately 20 minutes. Once baked, remove from the oven and serve the seafood bastilla hot.

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Presentation & Serving

(Insert an attractive image of the golden, crisp bastilla served on an elegant platter. A second close-up shot can capture the rich, layered filling bursting with seafood, olives, mushrooms, and herbs.)

Serve this Moroccan Seafood Bastilla as an appetizer at an elegant gathering or as a main dish accompanied by a fresh salad and a side of couscous. Each bite offers a harmony of succulent seafood, aromatic spices, and the perfect balance of savory and tangy accents.

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Enjoy this celebration of Moroccan culinary artistry—a dish that brings the vibrant flavors of the sea and the warmth of Moroccan spices to your table in every bite. Bon appétit!