Situated in the central Dalmatian archipelago, the island of Šolta is famous for its crystal-clear seas, secluded private coves, and numerous pebble beaches. The island is also home to many family-run farms that flow with artisanal oil, wine, and honey. But there's much more to this simple island than fishing and farming.

Back in 1708, the three brothers Petar, Juraj, and Ivan, of the noble Venetian family of Marchi, built a castle on the island to defend the surrounding area from Ottomans and pirates. Next, the trio got permission from the Venetian authorities to build a tower, a village, and a church above the bay of Maslinica. This European influence left an enlightened legacy of vision, art, and culture in Šolta.

Today, a beautiful hotel is situated in the castle and former home of the Marchi family. Martinis Marchi Heritage Hotel is a part of the Stories, Croatian Unique Hotels association, which gathers 17 carefully selected, unique luxury hotels around Croatia into an association that champions local heritage and hospitality at the highest level.

Martinis Marchi Heritage Hotel is a star of the fourth and last video in a series created by Stories exclusively for Mastercard cardholders.

The video Stories from Croatia #4: Authentic recipe from a faraway island offers a glimpse of Šolta's unspoiled private coves and a sense of the island's spirit of simplicity and calm, as well as a peek behind the scenes of the hotel and the history of the Marchi family.

Šolta is one of the numerous places in Croatia famous for its olive oil production. In the video, you'll learn what makes oil from Šolta so tasty and unique. These recipes use local Croatian scallops, wine, and fish from the Adriatic, but you can substitute the best of your own local seafood and vintages to try it at home.

Šolta's rich seafood recipes will make you drool while watching the video, so be sure to download the recipe and daydream about this faraway Croatian island.

Download recipe:  priceless™ Cookbook - “Popara” a’la Martinis Marchi

"Popara" a'la Martinis Marchi

SERVING SIZE: 4

INGREDIENTS:

800 g white fish

200 g potatoes

200 g red onion

200 g carrot

3 cloves garlic

30 g parsley

Salt, pepper

100 mL Pošip Dom Kalebić or other white wine

50 mL Olynthia extra virgin olive oil

600 mL fish stock

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Wash and peel the potatoes, red onion, garlic, and carrot and cut into pieces the size of a coin (5-6 mm wide). Wash and chop the parsley.

2. Clean the fish and cut into mid-size pieces.

3. Sauté the vegetables in the olive oil, seasoned with salt and pepper, until they begin to brown. Then, cover with enough of the fish stock to cover and cook until the vegetables are half-cooked.

4. Add the fish slices into the boiling vegetables and cover with the remaining fish stock. Cook for approx. 10 mins more until vegetables are softened, adding the white wine partway through and bringing it to a boil.

5. Before serving, sprinkle with fresh parsley and add few drops of olive oil.

St. Jacob shells Conte Alberti

INGREDIENTS:

4 portions of fresh scallops (also called St. Jacob shells)

3 mL Olynthia extra virgin olive oil with thyme

2 marinated shallots, quartered

a few sprigs of fresh thyme

100 mL fish soup

80 g celery puree

1 tablespoon butter

2 cloves of garlic

5 g chives

INSTRUCTIONS: 

1. Bring the fish soup to a boil. In a separate pan, bring the celery puree to medium heat.

2. Preheat a third pan and add olive oil. Then, add scallops, fresh thyme, shallots and garlic. Add salt and pepper and continue sautéing until the scallops are done (about 90 seconds on each side).

3. Add butter at the end and continue to sauté for a moment.

4. On the warm plate, place some celery puree, then top with scallops and shallots. Add hot fish soup and a few drops of olive oil.

5. Sprinkle with freshly chopped chive.