| Prep: 15 mins | Cook: 30 mins – 40 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 340 | 15g | 3g | 25g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 7g | 4g | 28g | 1.6g |
Why I Love Italian Seafood Stew
With love for coastal cuisine seeping into all my dishes, the Seafood Stew shines as a crown jewel. It is an Italian recipe that roars with dynamic flavor while also resonating with my affinity for the briny gifts of the sea. Every spoonful of this Seafood Stew reminds me of the Italian countryside, miles from my dear home in Portland, Maine but astonishingly close in terms of the warm, hearty comfort it provides. This dish was inspired by the legendary Mario Batali’s take on traditional Italian seafood recipes. His knack for bold flavors and rustic style cooking has been a consistent source of inspiration.
Familiar Echoes in Foreign Flavors
It’s surprising how much this Italian recipe echoes the New England seafood I hold dear. The carefully selected blend of seafood, encapsulating clams, mussels, shrimp, and calamari, remind me of the many family excursions to the Atlantic coastline with my daughters, Erin and Samantha. And it’s not just the seafood. The aromatic blend of simmering onions, garlic, and bell peppers never fails to transport me back to the clam bakes and lobster boils of my childhood, where these mouthwatering aromas were as much a part of the experience as the luscious, salty taste of the dishes themselves.
A Culinary Journey to Italy
Even though it’s grounded in my comfort zone of seafood, this Seafood Stew recipe flings us to Italy with its quintessential Mediterranean palette. The blend of white wine, fish stock, and crushed tomatoes creates a hearty broth, enriched with the robust tones of dried oregano and basil. Together they form a fantastic base, leading us through that rustic Italian countryside I spoke of earlier. This dish marries the local seafood of the Atlantic coast of New England, and the rich, aromatic flavours of Italy. Here’s where I took some inspiration from Batali’s seafood soup. Fresh parsley, perfectly finishes the dish, adding a vibrant splash of green and a refreshing hint of flavor. These are simple yet quality ingredients that stand strong on their own, but mixed together, they perform a symphony of flavors that is hard to resist.
And there’s no better way to enjoy this dish than with a slice of crusty bread and a good company. Just like in the coastal regions of Italy or back home on Maine’s rocky shores, moments of sumptuous food and delightful laughter are often best shared.
What You’ll Need
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 1 cup of white wine
- 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup fish stock
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 pound of mixed seafood (mussels, clams, shrimp, calamari)
- 1 pound of white fish (such as halibut or cod), cut into chunks
- 1/4 cup of fresh parsley, chopped
Method
Step One
Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, and chopped bell pepper. Sauté until the vegetables are soft and the onions are translucent, about 5 minutes.
Step Two
Pour in the white wine, and let it simmer for a few minutes to reduce slightly.
Step Three
Add the crushed tomatoes and fish stock into the pot. Stir well to combine with the vegetables and white wine.
Step Four
Add in the seasonings: salt, black pepper, dried oregano, and dried basil. Stir again to distribute the spices evenly.
Step Five
Let the mixture come to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer softly for about 15 minutes.
Step Six
Add the mixed seafood and chunks of white fish to the pot. Stir gently to combine them with the stew.
Step Seven
Replace the lid on the pot and let the stew cook for another 10-15 minutes, or until the seafood is cooked through and the fish is flaky and opaque.
Step Eight
Right before serving, stir in the chopped fresh parsley. Serve the stew warm with slices of crusty bread for soaking up the flavorful broth. Enjoy your homemade Seafood Stew!
