Cioppino

Ingredients

For the broth - This step can be completed earlier in the day, if desired.

• 3 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 large fennel bulb, thinly sliced

• 1 onion, chopped

• 3 large shallots, chopped

• 2 teaspoons salt

• 4 large garlic cloves, finely chopped

• 3/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper flakes, plus more to taste

• 1/4 cup tomato paste

• 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes in juice

• 1 1/2 cups dry white wine

• 5 cups fish stock*

• 1 bay leaf

• 2-3 tsp. Italian seasoning

**For the seafood: 

• 1 pound manila clams, scrubbed

• 1 pound mussels, scrubbed, debearded

• 1 pound uncooked large shrimp, peeled and deveined

• 1 1/2 pounds assorted firm-fleshed fish fillets such as halibut or salmon, cut into 2-inch chunks

• Parsley for garnish

Directions

• Heat the oil in a very large pot over medium heat. Add the fennel, onion, shallots, and salt and sauté until the onion is translucent, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic and 3/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes, and sauté 2 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and cook 1-2 minutes. Add tomatoes with their juices, wine, fish stock*, bay leaf and Italian seasoning. Cover and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer until the flavors blend, about 30 minutes (or more).  

• Add the clams and mussels to the cooking liquid. Cover and cook until the clams and mussels begin to open, about 5 minutes. Add the shrimp and fish. Simmer gently until the fish and shrimp are just cooked through, and the clams are completely open, stirring gently, about 5 minutes longer (discard any clams and mussels that do not open). Season the soup, to taste, with more salt and red pepper flakes.

• Ladle the soup into bowls and serve. Garnish with a sprinkle of parsely.

Notes

• *If you do not have fish stock, use 2-3 bottles (cups) of clam juice, plus enough chicken or vegetable broth to make 5 cups.

• **The seafood items listed in the recipe are suggestions only. Cioppino is very flexible - use any seafood combo you love, including the scallops, crab, lobster, any type of firm white fish, etc.