Cioppino

One of my favorite dishes ever. Rich, flavorful and forgiving with a wide range of substitutions. Go big, go bold; or, reduce to a simple tomato broth as your palate. Although the definition of Cioppino is Fish Stew, you can add Andouille Sausage or broad range game meats.

Ingredients (4 Servings)
2 salmon, cut into 2-inch chunks
1 lb uncooked large shrimp, peeled & deveined
4 large Scallops
1 pound mussels, scrubbed, de-bearded
1 pound manila clams, scrubbed
    
1 large fennel bulb, thinly sliced
1 onion, chopped                 
3 large shallots, chopped
4 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
3/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper flake
1/4 cup tomato paste
1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes in juice  
1 1/2 cups dry white wine 
5 cups fish (seafood) stock 
1 Bay Leaf
1 teaspoon oregano
2 teaspoons salt & pepper

3 tablespoons olive oil     

1 teaspoon basil         

2 teaspoons grated Parmesan Romano blend
1 lb Angel Hair Pasta (optional)

                                               
Directions
1. Heat oil in a large pot. Add fennel, onion, shallot, salt and sauté until onion is translucent (10 min)

2. Add the garlic and 3/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes, and sauté 2 minutes.

3. Stir in the tomato paste. Add tomatoes with their juices, wine, fish stock, oregano and bay leaf.
4. Season, cover and reduce heat to medium-low, simmer until the flavors blend, about (30 min).
5. Add clams and mussels to broth, cover until they open (5min)  
5. OPTIONAL - Boil salted water, add teaspoon Olive Oil and cook Angel Hair Pasta. (7-10min)
6. Add shrimp and fish. Simmer until fish and shrimp are cooked through and clams are open
7. In a pan, add olive oil and small pad of butter. Sear scallops 1min each side and add to Cioppino

8. Stir gently, 5 minutes (discard clams and mussels not open).

9. Season to taste with salt, pepper and red pepper flake.

10. Serve over pasta or in soup dish, garnish with basil and grated Parmesan Romano blend.

 

Substitutions

One that I use frequently is the addition of sausage. The rich fat adds another profile to the broth and texture to the dish. You may also grab an Oregano Garlic Diced or Crushed Tomato in a car; or, any flavor is fine to add additional personality as your taste desires.