Seafood Cioppino is a delicious Italian-American seafood stew that typically includes a variety of fish and shellfish cooked in a tomato-based broth. Here’s a basic recipe to get you started:
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 fennel bulb, diced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 cup white wine
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 4 cups fish or seafood stock (or vegetable or chicken stock)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 pound clams, scrubbed
- 1 pound mussels, scrubbed and debearded
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 pound firm white fish fillets (such as halibut or cod), cut into chunks
- 1/2 pound calamari rings (optional)
- Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
- Crusty bread, for serving
Instructions:
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, bell pepper, fennel, red pepper flakes, oregano, and basil. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- Pour in the white wine and cook for another 2-3 minutes, allowing it to reduce slightly.
- Add the crushed tomatoes and fish or seafood stock to the pot. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for about 15-20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Once the broth is flavorful, add the clams and mussels to the pot. Cover and cook for about 5 minutes, or until the shellfish begin to open.
- Add the shrimp, fish chunks, and calamari rings (if using) to the pot. Stir gently to combine, then cover and simmer for another 5-7 minutes, or until the shrimp are pink and opaque, the fish is cooked through, and the calamari is tender.
- Taste the broth and adjust seasoning if necessary. Discard any clams or mussels that haven’t opened.
- Ladle the cioppino into bowls, making sure to distribute the seafood evenly. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot with crusty bread for dipping.
Enjoy your delicious seafood cioppino! Feel free to adjust the seafood selection according to your preferences or what’s available fresh.
