Crap pe Varză sau la Cuptor cu Usturoi (Dniester River Baked Fish with Garlic Mamaliga) – Authentic Moldova Recipe
Flaky fish baked with sweet peppers and tomatoes, served with Moldova’s fiery crushed-garlic mujdei sauce.
- Country of Origin
- 🇲🇩 Moldova (Eastern Europe, Europe)
- Dietary Profile
- pescatarian
- Prep Time
- 20 min
- Cook Time
- 30 min
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Signature Staples
- Flaky white fish fillets, Roasted tomatoes and sweet peppers, Warm cornmeal mămăligă and mujdei garlic sauce, Crushed garlic emulsion (mujdei), Fresh parsley
Ingredients for Crap pe Varză sau la Cuptor cu Usturoi (Dniester River Baked Fish with Garlic Mamaliga) (4 Servings)
- 1.25 lbs (or 2.5 cups) flaky white fish fillets, prepped into bite-sized pieces
- 1.5 cups roasted tomatoes and sweet peppers, washed and trimmed
- 1 cup warm cornmeal mămăligă and mujdei garlic sauce
- 1 medium onion and 3 cloves garlic, finely minced with crushed garlic emulsion (mujdei)
- 1.5 tbsp traditional Moldova seasoning (fresh parsley, lemon, paprika)
- 2.5 tbsp traditional cooking oil, sea salt, cracked black pepper, and fresh citrus or herbs
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
- Preheat oven to 390°F (200°C) and lightly oil an ovenproof skillet or baking dish.
- In a skillet over medium heat, sauté onion, garlic, crushed garlic emulsion (mujdei), and fresh parsley, lemon, paprika for 3 minutes until fragrant.
- Combine flaky white fish fillets and roasted tomatoes and sweet peppers with the sautéed aromatics and layer evenly into the baking dish.
- Top with warm cornmeal mămăligă and mujdei garlic sauce and bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes until bubbling and golden brown on top.
- Let rest 5 minutes before serving warm at the table.