Description
Classic San Francisco Cioppino is a rich and hearty seafood stew featuring a medley of fresh fish, shrimp, mussels, and clams simmered in a flavorful tomato-based broth infused with garlic, herbs, and white wine. This comforting dish captures the essence of coastal American cuisine with an Italian-American twist, perfect for seafood lovers seeking a soulful and aromatic meal.
Ingredients
Seafood
- 250 g shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 250 g mussels, cleaned
- 250 g clams, cleaned
- 200 g white fish (cod or halibut), cut into chunks
Broth and Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (800 g) crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup seafood stock or fish broth
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat oil and sauté onion: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes, ensuring the foundational flavors build.
- Add garlic and cook: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, taking care not to burn it to maintain its delicate flavor.
- Simmer broth base: Pour in the crushed tomatoes, seafood stock, and dry white wine. Add dried oregano and red pepper flakes. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook uncovered for 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify.
- Cook shellfish: Add the cleaned clams and mussels to the pot, cover with a lid, and cook for 5 minutes or until the shells begin to open, indicating they are cooked. Discard any shellfish that remain closed.
- Add remaining seafood: Add the peeled shrimp and chunks of white fish to the stew. Continue cooking uncovered for another 5 to 7 minutes, or until the shrimp turns pink and the fish flakes easily with a fork, ensuring all seafood is thoroughly cooked.
- Season and garnish: Season the stew with salt and black pepper to taste. Remove from heat and garnish generously with freshly chopped parsley. Serve hot, ideally accompanied by crusty bread for dipping into the flavorful broth.
Notes
- Discard any shellfish that do not open after cooking to avoid food safety risks.
- Serve with crusty bread to soak up the delicious tomato broth.
- You can customize the seafood selection based on availability or preference, such as adding scallops or squid.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American (San Francisco)
