Hotch Potch from Forepaugh’s Restaurant in Saint Paul

Hotch Potch

This hearty meal for a group was served at Forepaugh’s Restaurant in Saint Paul, Minnesota, in the 1970s.
Servings: 12

Ingredients

  • 4 crab claws
  • 8 jumbo scallops
  • 4 jumbo prawns
  • 4 – 3 oz. lobster tails, split, with shells
  • 4 cherrystone clams, steamed
  • 4 c. prepared saffron rice
  • 4 boneless chicken breasts, cooked
  • ¼ c. green pepper, chopped
  • ¼ c. mushrooms, sauteed
  • ¼ c. onion, chopped
  • 1 c. green peas, cooked
  • 4 lemon wedges
Saffron Rice
  • ¼ c. olive oil
  • ¼ c. diced onion
  • Pinch of saffron
  • 2 c. white rice
  • 2 chicken bullion cubes
  • 1 qt. water

Instructions

  • Prepare saffron rice.
  • Poach all seafood—except clams—in salt water until firm (10-12 minutes.) Add steamed clams just to heat through. Remove from heat and drain.
  • To assemble, layer saffron rice in the bottom of a large skillet. Place hot seafood and cooked chicken breasts into rice. Sprinkle green pepper, mushrooms, and onions over the mixture. Garnish with green peas.
  • Place in a warm oven until ready to serve.
  • Garnish with lemon wedges before setting on the table.
Saffron Rice
  • Place olive oil in a skillet and heat. Add diced onions and saffron, cooking until onions are translucent. Add rice and stir until well coated.
  • Dissolve bullion cubes in the water. Once dissolved, add to the rice mixture.
  • Cover with a tight lid and continue to cook rice on a low temperature until all liquid is absorbed and rice is tender.
Notes
Use saffron sparingly. A little will give a rich golden color and impart the subtle taste desired for this meal.