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Cioppino

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Cioppino is a San Francisco–born Italian-American seafood stew featuring a medley of fish and shellfish simmered in a tomato and wine broth with aromatic herbs. Served with crusty bread, it’s hearty, rustic, and perfect for seafood lovers.

Ingredients

  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 1 fennel bulb, thinly sliced (optional)
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 cup dry white wine
  • 4 cups fish or seafood stock (or chicken stock)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 lb firm white fish (halibut, cod, or sea bass), cut into chunks
  • 1/2 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1/2 lb scallops
  • 1 lb mussels, scrubbed and debearded
  • 1 lb clams, scrubbed
  • 1/2 lb crab legs or lump crab meat (optional)
  • Fresh basil or thyme, for garnish
  • Crusty sourdough or Italian bread, for serving

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and fennel, sauté 5 minutes until softened.
  2. Stir in garlic and red pepper flakes; cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Add tomato paste and cook 1–2 minutes to deepen flavor.
  4. Pour in crushed tomatoes, wine, stock, bay leaf, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir and bring to a simmer.
  5. Cook uncovered 20–30 minutes until broth develops rich flavor.
  6. Taste and adjust seasoning. Add white fish chunks and simmer 3–5 minutes.
  7. Add shrimp, scallops, mussels, clams, and crab. Cover and cook 5–7 minutes, until shellfish open and shrimp and scallops are cooked. Discard unopened shellfish.
  8. Stir in fresh parsley. Ladle stew into bowls.
  9. Garnish with basil or thyme. Serve hot with crusty bread.

Notes

  • Make the broth ahead and add seafood just before serving for best texture.
  • Use thawed frozen seafood if fresh isn’t available.
  • Shell-on seafood adds flavor, but shelled seafood makes eating easier.
  • Do not overcook seafood; simmer gently until just done.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://thefamilycooking.com/cioppino/