CIOPPINO - SAN FRANCISCO STYLE SEAFOOD STEW

CIOPPINO - SAN FRANCISCO STYLE SEAFOOD STEW image

Number Of Ingredients 21

4 large garlic cloves, minced
2 medium onions, finely chopped
1 Turkish bay leaf or 1/2 California bay leaf
1 teaspoon dried oregano, crumbled
1 teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup olive oil
1 green bell pepper, cut into 1/4-inch dice
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 1/2 cups dry red wine
1 (28- to 32-ounces) can whole plum tomatoes, drained, reserving juice, and chopped
1 cup bottled clam juice
1 cup chicken broth
1 (1-pound) king crab leg, thawed if frozen; or 1 lb. canned crab meat
1-2 cups canned or fresh clams
1 pound skinless red snapper or halibut fillets, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
1 pound large shrimp (16 to 20), shelled and deveined
3/4 pound sea scallops, tough muscle removed from side of each, if necessary
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil

Steps:

1. Cook garlic, onions, bay leaf, oregano, and red pepper flakes with salt and pepper in oil in an 8-quart heavy pot over moderate heat, stirring, until onions are softened, about 5 minutes. 2. Stir in bell pepper and tomato paste and cook, stirring, 1 minute. 3. Add wine and boil until reduced by about half, 5 to 6 minutes. 4. Add tomatoes with their juice, clam juice, and broth and simmer, covered, 30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. 5. While stew is simmering, hack crab leg through shell into 2- to 3-inch pieces with a large heavy knife. Add crab pieces and clams to stew and simmer, covered, 5 to 10 minutes, 6. Lightly season fish fillets, shrimp, and scallops with salt and add to stew, then simmer, covered, until just cooked through, about 5 minutes. 7. Discard bay leaf, and gently stir in parsley and basil. 8. Serve cioppino immediately in large soup bowls. The stew - without seafood - can be made 1 day ahead. Cool, uncovered, then chill, covered. Bring to a simmer before adding seafood.