When Joyce (one of our awesome condo neighbors) asked me if I’d like to taste her family’s generations-old recipe for Seafood Cioppino…I couldn’t get the word “YES” out of my mouth fast enough. (I think that’s because my mouth had already started to water!)
Joyce was kind enough to let me follow her around all day yesterday as I learned how to make this fantastic fish stew. I’m told this “Seven Fishes” stew is an unofficial “must-serve” on Christmas Eve in many Italian families, and after tasting it I can see why.
Since she was making it for a crowd, she actually tripled the recipe below, and I can assure you the recipe is easy to adjust, based on the number of diners. Just ask Toni…our official can opener.
SEAFOOD CIOPPINO
(My sincere thanks to Joyce Delle Donne)
1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 Onion-finely chopped
1 Bell Pepper-finely chopped
2 tsp minced Garlic
1/2 cup fresh Flat Leaf Italian Parsley
2 tsp. dried Basil
1 tsp dried Oregano
1 tsp. dried Thyme
“a pinch” of Cayenne Pepper
“a pinch” of Paprika
Saute all of the above in the oil for about 5 minutes. Then add:
1 28 oz. can chopped tomatoes
1 8 oz. can Tomato Sauce
1/2 cup water
1 8 oz. bottle Clam Juice
1 cup White Wine
1 fresh Basil Leaf (if available.)
Simmer at least 2 hours with lid slightly ajar to allow some heat and steam to escape.
About 30 minutes before you are ready to serve it, add the following seafood-or any combination you prefer. (You could also use Lobster, Crab Claws, Shark or Mahi Mahi)
ADD 1 lb of each:
Fresh Cod or Haddock(cut in chunks)
Shrimp (peeled and deveined)
Mussels
Clams
Scallops
1 bag of frozen Seafood Medley (A mixture of seafood, including octopus)
Simmer approximately 30 minutes or until the fish is cooked through and the clams and mussels have opened. (FYI…be sure to discard any clams and mussels that have not opened.) Stir several times while simmering.
Serve in bowls with crusty garlic bread to soak up all the delicious broth, and top each serving with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese. BELLISIMO!
My sincere thanks to Joyce, and to all the other neighbors who contributed wonderful dishes to share. Linda’s romaine salad with pea pods, toasted nuts and a dressing of Greek yogurt and bleu cheese was also a hit. So was Joyce’s fresh blueberry pie and Aloma’s marble cake. (More recipes later!!) And Toni’s wine contributions certainly added to the “festive” atmosphere.
One recipe I won’t be sharing…the garlic bread-which I managed to BURN since I was having TOO MUCH FUN outside with our friends. (FYI…My childhood nickname was “Chatty Patty”…Need I say more???) But we simply scraped off the burned parts and ate it anyway…because that’s what you can do when you’re with friends.
Good food, good wine and great friends…just another day in Paradise…
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