Cioppino

Serves: 4

Lilian Bahringer

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

48

Spice

47

Sweetness

59

Sourness

43

mins

Prep time (avg)

4.4

Difficulty

Ingredients:

1 pinch

Saffron

2 medium

Onion (chopped)

2 tbsps

Tomato Paste

1 cup

Pernod

10 cups

Water (cold)

1 sprig

Thyme

2 tsps

Peppercorns

1 tsp

Fennel Seed

Directions:

1

Melt the butter in the broth, stirring as it melts

2

Heat 2 cups fumet, clam juice or water in a small saucepan

3

Add saffron, simmer about 5 minutes, remove from heat and set aside

4

Heat 1/4 cup olive oil oil in an 8-quart pot over medium-high heat

5

Add garlic, allowing it to brown for about 20 seconds, then add onions, fennel, and a pinch of salt

6

Cook until vegetables are softened, about 4 minutes

7

Add fennel seed, bay leaf and oregano

8

Stir and cook for 30 seconds

9

Add tomato paste

10

Cook, stirring, until paste darkens a bit, about 2 to 3 minutes

11

Add chopped tomatoes (squeeze them slightly through your fingers to soften first), white wine, pernod and the saffron flavored fish fumet, clam juice or water

12

Add remaining fish fumet, clam juice or water, whole jalapenos and bring to a boil

13

Season with salt and pepper

14

Cook until liquid has reduced by half

15

Cover pan and simmer for 30 minutes

16

Skim the fat from the soup, and add parsley, basil and tarragon

17

Add clams and simmer until clams open, about 3 minutes (discard any unopened clams)

18

Add crab pieces and heat through

19

With a pair of tongs, remove crab legs to warmed serving bowls

20

Place a colander with shrimp in it, into the pot without submerging it completely

21

When shrimp are just cooked and pink and add to serving bowls

22

Use tongs to fish out the clams, add to serving bowls

23

Meanwhile, season halibut and scallops with salt and pepper

24

Heat a skillet over medium-high heat, add 2 tablespoons oil

25

Cook the haibut and scallops, without stirring, until browned, about 2 minutes

26

Turn and cook another 30 seconds

27

Fish will be slightly underdone

28

Cover scallops and sautéed fish with ladles of broth, bring to a simmer, then transfer scallops and fish to the serving bowls

29

Remove bay leaf and the jalapeno peppers from pot

30

Season broth with salt and pepper

31

Pour broth over fish in bowls

32

Mash the softened jalapeno peppers into a paste, and serve as a garnish for guests who like their Cioppino spicy

33

Place all ingredients in a large stockpot

34

Bring to a boil

35

Lower heat and simmer for 30 minutes

36

Strain fumet and allow to cool before storing