Walleye Cheeks with Creamy Smoked Paprika Sauce
- 🐟 1 lb of walleye cheeks
- 🧂 1 tsp salt
- 🌶 1 tsp black pepper
- 🥜 3 Tbsp peanut oil such as Planters Peanut Oil
- 🧅 ½ cup chopped onion
- 🫑 ½ cup chopped red bell pepper
- 🧄 2-4 cloves garlic, minced
- 🍅 2 Tbsp tomato paste e.g., Hunt's Tomato Paste
- 🌶 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 🍗 ¾ cup chicken broth e.g., Swanson Chicken Broth
- 🌶 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 🌶 1 tbsp sweet paprika
- 🥬 2 handfuls of fresh baby spinach
- 🥛 1 cup heavy whipping cream e.g., Land O'Lakes Heavy Whipping Cream
- 🍋 1 tbsp lemon juice
A delightful dish featuring seared walleye cheeks paired with vibrant vegetables and a creamy smoked paprika sauce, perfect for impressing family and friends.
Indulge in the rich flavors of this creamy paprika walleye cheeks recipe, perfectly balancing the tenderness of walleye with a robust and aromatic sauce infused with tomato, smoked and sweet paprikas, and a burst of fresh spinach. Ideal as a seafood main course, this dish celebrates the best flavors of the ocean with contemporary flair.
Ingredients
🐟 1 lb walleye cheeks
🧂 1 tsp salt
🌶️ 1 tsp black pepper
🥜 3 tbsp peanut oil
🧅 ½ cup onion, chopped
🌶️ ½ cup red bell pepper, chopped
🧄 2-4 cloves garlic, minced
🍅 2 tbsp tomato paste, Unico brand
🌶️ 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
🍗 ¾ cup chicken broth
🌶️ 1 tsp smoked paprika
🌶️ 1 tbsp sweet paprika
🥬 2 handfuls fresh baby spinach
🥛 1 cup whipping cream, Beatrice brand
🍋 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
1- Season the walleye cheeks:
- Use salt, black pepper, and sweet paprika to season the walleye cheeks.
2- Heat the oil:
- Use 3 tablespoons of peanut oil in a Breville electric wok or a large saucepan over medium-high heat.
3- Cook the walleye cheeks:
- Add the seasoned walleye cheeks to the hot oil. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring to ensure even browning.
4- Remove from pan:
- Take the cooked cheeks out of the pan and set them aside.
5- Sauté onions and peppers:
- Add chopped onion and red bell pepper to the pan. Sauté for about 2 minutes.
6- Add garlic:
- Add minced garlic and sauté for an additional 2 minutes.
7- Add tomato paste:
- Stir in crushed red pepper flakes and Unico tomato paste. Cook for about 1 minute while stirring.
8- Combine with broth:
- Gradually pour in chicken broth, stirring continuously.
9- Add smoked paprika:
- Incorporate smoked paprika and stir well.
10- Add spinach:
- Fold in fresh baby spinach, stirring until wilted.
11- Add cream:
- Pour in Beatrice whipping cream, stirring until fully combined.
12- Add lemon juice:
- Add lemon juice and continue cooking until sauce thickens.
13- Return cheeks to pan:
- Return walleye cheeks to the pan, gently stirring them into the sauce.
14- Let dish rest:
- Turn off the heat and let the dish rest for 5-10 minutes for thickening.
Prep Time: 15-20 minutes
Cook Time: 8-9 minutes
Total Time: 25-30 minutes
Equipment: Breville electric wok, orange silicone spatula, tongs, various bowls, brown serving bowl
Cooking Tips
- Walleye cheeks can dry out easily; do not exceed 3-4 minutes of cooking.
- Allow the sauce to rest; it will keep thickening off the heat.
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YouTube channel - Mike Borovic - IT's FRIDAY FITCHES!: https://www.youtube.com/@MikeBorovicITsFRIDAYFITCHES
Walleye Cheeks with Creamy Smoked Paprika Sauce
Posted by Waivio guest: @waivio_hivecooking
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