This Classic Cioppino is a true favorite Italian seafood stew originating in the incredible city of San Francisco. It is beautiful, and actually quite easy to make. You just need a couple of hours from start to finish. Plus, you can tweak it to your own tastes. Enjoy!!
½red bell peppercored, seeded, chopped (about ½ cup)
½cupcelerychopped
2tablespoonflat-leaf parsleychopped
128 oz. canwhole tomatoesSan Marzano are excellent, with juice
28 oz. bottlesclam juice
1cupdry white wineSauvignon blanc is good
2bay leaves
1tablespoondried basil
½teaspoondried oregano
½teaspoondried thyme leaves
½teaspooncrushed red pepper flakes
½teaspoonsaltmore to taste
Juice of 1 lemonabout 2 teaspoons
12small hard-shell clams in shell
12mussels in shells
1lbextra-large shrimppeeled and deveined
1lbbay scallops
1lbfirm white fish filletscod, halibut, haddock are all good choices
2lbsfresh steamed crab legs
Instructions
In a large soup pot, or preferably a large Dutch oven, over medium-low heat, heat olive oil, then add butter and let it melt. Add onions, garlic, bell pepper, celery, and parsley. Cook until soft, about 8 minutes.
2 tablespoon olive oil, 2 tablespoon unsalted butter, 2 medium yellow onions, 4 cloves garlic, ½ red bell pepper, ½ cup celery, 2 tablespoon flat-leaf parsley
Add tomatoes (break them up with your hands as you add them to the pot), and add the juice from the can.
1 28 oz. can whole tomatoes
Add the clam juice, wine, bay leaves, basil, oregano, thyme, red pepper flakes, salt, and lemon juice; bring to just a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 1 hour.
2 8 oz. bottles clam juice, 1 cup dry white wine, 2 bay leaves, 1 tablespoon dried basil, ½ teaspoon dried oregano, ½ teaspoon dried thyme leaves, ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, ½ teaspoon salt, Juice of 1 lemon
NOTE: At this point, stock may be refrigerated, covered, and kept up to 2 days before serving. Just bring the stock back to a boil about 20 minutes before serving, lower the heat, and proceed with the recipe.
Scrub the clams and mussels with a small stiff brush under cold running water; remove beards from mussels.
12 small hard-shell clams in shell, 12 mussels in shells
Discard any open clams or mussels. Let cold water run over shells for 5 minutes (shaking every minute or so).
Gently stir into the sauce the clams, mussels, shrimp, scallops, and fish fillets. Cover the dish and let it simmer for 7 - 8 minutes, until the clams and mussels open. Discard any shells that have not opened.
1 lb extra-large shrimp, 1 lb bay scallops, 1 lb firm white fish fillets
Add the crab legs and steam until heated through, another 2 - 3 minutes.
2 lbs fresh steamed crab legs
Try not to stir too much (it will break up the fish), and don't overcook!!
Remove the bay leaves. Adjust seasonings
Ladle sauce and seafood into large bowls and serve with toasted bread.
Video
Notes
NOTE: Watch the video in the recipe card for visual guidance.