ANYTIME FISH AND SHELLFISH STEW

Anytime Fish and Shellfish Stew image

Provided by David Tanis

Time 45m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, diced (about 2 cups)
Salt and pepper
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 bay leaf
1 large thyme sprig
Pinch of crumbled saffron threads
Pinch of red-pepper flakes or a whole small dried red pepper
Splash of dry white wine (about 1/4 cup)
1 1/2 cups chopped tomato, canned or fresh (about 2 medium)
4 cups fish stock or water
2 pounds yellow-fleshed potatoes, such as Yukon Gold, sliced about 1/4-inch thick
6 medium cherrystone clams, scrubbed
1 pound boneless, skinless cod or halibut, cut in 1-inch pieces
1 pound mussels, cleaned

Steps:

Heat olive oil over medium in a large, heavy-bottomed soup pot or Dutch oven. Add onions and stir to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until softened and lightly colored, about 10 minutes.
Stir in garlic, bay leaf, thyme, saffron and red pepper, and cook for 1 minute. Add wine and tomatoes, and simmer 1 minute. Add stock and bring to a slow boil over medium. Add potatoes and a good pinch of salt. Adjust heat to a brisk simmer. Cook with lid ajar until potatoes are just done, about 10 minutes. Taste broth - it should be well seasoned - and adjust as necessary. (You can do this up to an hour ahead of time.)
As the broth simmers, add the clams, and cook for 5 minutes, covered with the lid ajar. Add cod and mussels on top, cover and cook until the mussels are done, 4 to 5 minutes. Turn off heat, and let the stew steep for 5 to 10 minutes, until the mussels and clams open. Serve in wide soup bowls.