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Cioppino: The Ultimate Seafood Stew for Every Occasion

Cioppino: The Ultimate Seafood Stew for Every Occasion


Description

Cioppino, a robust tomato-based seafood stew, offers a flavorful experience perfect for both family dinners and special occasions. This Italian-American dish captures the essence of San Francisco’s fishing heritage, combining a variety of seafood with fresh herbs and wine for a sophisticated yet straightforward preparation.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 pounds halibut, sea bass, or other firm white fish, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 large (2 pounds or more) cooked Dungeness crab with shell
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined (tails on for presentation)
  • 2 pounds littleneck clams and/or mussels (cleaned and debearded)
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 1/2 cups onion, finely chopped (1 large)
  • 1 cup bell pepper, chopped (any color works)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 (28-ounce) can whole tomatoes, undrained
  • 2 cups red wine (preferably dry like Chianti or Cabernet)
  • 2 cups tomato juice
  • 2 cups fish or shellfish stock
  • Herb bouquet: bay leaf, fresh parsley, and basil wrapped in cheesecloth
  • Fresh ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup minced fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onions and bell peppers, sautéing until soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
  2. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Pour in the red wine and increase heat to medium-high. Let the mixture simmer until the wine reduces by about half, approximately 5-7 minutes.
  4. Add the canned tomatoes with their juice, and stir in the tomato juice and fish stock.
  5. Add the herb bouquet, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Simmer for 25-30 minutes.
  6. Add fresh clams and mussels to the broth, cover the pot, and cook for about 5 minutes until they begin to open.
  7. Add the fish pieces and shrimp, simmering for 4-5 minutes until the fish is opaque and the shrimp turns pink.
  8. Add the crab pieces and cook just until heated through, about 2-3 minutes.
  9. Remove the herb bouquet and discard any unopened shellfish. Adjust seasoning as needed.
  10. Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley just before serving.

Notes

  • Layered cooking is key for developing rich flavors.
  • Use fresh seafood for best results; quality frozen seafood is preferable to less-fresh options.
  • Prepare the tomato-based broth ahead of time to enhance flavor, but add seafood just before serving.
  • Serve with crusty sourdough bread for dipping.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: N/A
  • Calories: N/A
  • Sugar: N/A
  • Sodium: N/A
  • Fat: N/A
  • Saturated Fat: N/A
  • Unsaturated Fat: N/A
  • Trans Fat: N/A
  • Carbohydrates: N/A
  • Fiber: N/A
  • Protein: N/A
  • Cholesterol: N/A

Keywords: cioppino, seafood stew, easy cioppino recipe, Italian-American dish, tomato seafood stew, cioppino with crab