SEAFOOD ESSENTIALS: FISH STEW BASE

Seafood Essentials: Fish Stew Base image

I love a good seafood stew, and although the seafood is the star of the dish, the base needs to compliment the recipe. What you need is the perfect balance of flavors that enhance the seafood; not cover them up. This base strikes a flawless balance between all the elements of a good seafood stew, and since it freezes well, you...

Provided by Andy Anderson !

Categories Seafood

Time 40m

Number Of Ingredients 23

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Ingredients

PLAN/PURCHASE
1 Tbsp grapeseed oil
1 Tbsp sweet butter, unsalted
1 lg shallot, finely diced
1/4 c yellow onion, finely diced
2 clove garlic, minced
1 stalk celery, finely diced
1/2 c dry white wine, i used a chardonnay
2 c chicken stock not broth
1 c clam juice, bottled variety
14 oz diced tomatoes, 1 can, plus juice
2 md bay leaves
1 tsp seafood seasoning, more on this later
1/2 tsp hot sauce, or more to taste, i prefer frank's
salt, kosher variety, to taste
white pepper, freshly ground, to taste
ADDITIONAL ITEMS
1 - 2 Tbsp sweet butter, unsalted
1 Tbsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed
1 - 2 Tbsp cilantro, chopped
OPTIONAL ITEMS
shrimp shells, more on this later
bacon, more on this later

Steps:

1. PREP/PREPARE
2. When I make shrimp, I remove the shells and place them in a freezer bag for future use. In a recipe like this, I take them out of the freezer, wrap them in some cheesecloth, and place them in the liquid, while it is simmering. When finished, I remove them, and discard. It gives this sauce a nice seafood essence.
3. The seafood seasoning is important to giving this base its distinctive flavor. Old Bay is one that I like, but for this recipe I used a homemade seasoning: https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/sauce-spread/seasoning-mix/spice-essentials-savory-seafood-seasoning.html
4. In the first steps, you add the butter and oil to a pot, and cook the onions, and shallots. If you want to give this base another level of flavor, do not use the butter and oil; instead, fry up some chopped bacon, then remove the bacon, and sauté the onions, and shallots in the bacon grease. When the fish stew is finished, sprinkle the bacon bits on top... So yummy.
5. Gather your Ingredients (mise en place).
6. Add the butter and grapeseed oil to a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat.
7. When the foaming subsides, add the shallot, and onions, then, cook until the onions begin to soften, about 4 - 5 minutes.
8. Chef's Note: We do not want the onions, to burn, or even brown, just let them slowly cook in the butter and oil, until they soften, and give up some of their liquid.
9. Add the minced garlic and celery, then cook, about 60 seconds.
10. Add the remainder of the ingredients, except the ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS, and bring up to a simmer.
11. If you are using the shrimp shells, tie them up in some cheesecloth and add to the simmering liquid.
12. While the broth is simmering add a pinch or two of salt and pepper, to taste.
13. Keep the pot at a light simmer, partially covered, and allow to cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 - 20 minutes.
14. At the end of the cooking process, remove the shrimp shells, if using, and bay leaves.
15. Chef's Note: For thinner soup, purée ingredients in a blender and return to pot. For chunkier soup, leave as-is and continue.
16. If you are making this base ahead of time, do not add the butter, or cilantro, but allow it to come to room temperature, then store it in the fridge for a day or two, or put it into containers, and store in the freezer for several months.
17. When you are ready to use the base, bring it up to a boil, and then lower to a simmer.
18. Cube the butter, and then add a few cubes at a time, and stir until melted, then add more cubes until all the butter is incorporated into the liquid.
19. Add the seafood (shrimp, scallops, white fish, etc.), and simmer until cooked through, about 15 minutes.
20. Add the lemon juice, and stir in the chopped cilantro.
21. PLATE/PRESENT
22. Ladle into bowls, and serve with some nice crusty bread. Enjoy.
23. Keep the faith, and keep cooking.