Classic Cioppino (San Francisco-Style Seafood Stew)

Name: Classic Cioppino (San Francisco-Style Seafood Stew)
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 1 h 30 min
Total time: 2 h
Yield: 6 people
Ingredients: 2 tablespoon olive oil; 2 tablespoon unsalted butter; 2 medium yellow onions; 4 cloves garlic; ½ red bell pepper; ½ cup celery; ¼ flat-leaf parsley; 1 28 oz. can whole tomatoes; 2 8 oz bottles clam juice; 1 cup dry white wine; 2 bay leafs; 1 tablespoon dried basil; ½ teaspoon dried oregano; ½ teaspoon dried thyme leaves; ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flake; ½ teaspoon salt; Juice of 1 lemon; 12 small hard-shell clams in shell; 12 mussels in shell; 1 lb extra-large shrimp; 1 lb bay scallops; 1 lb firm white fish fillets; 2 lbs fresh steamed crab legs

User Reviews

4.9

30 reviews

Excellent

Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
1 hr 30 mins
Total Time
2 hrs
Servings
6 people
Calories
280 kcal
Cuisine
Italian

Classic Cioppino (San Francisco-Style Seafood Stew)

Kaitlin Leblanc

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This Classic Cioppino is a true favorite Italian seafood stew originating in the incredible city of San Francisco. It is beautiful, and actually quite easy to make. You just need a couple hours from start to finish. Plus, you can tweak to you own tastes. Enjoy!!

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Ingredients

Servings

2 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 medium yellow onions chopped
4 cloves garlic minced
½ red bell pepper cored, seeded, chopped (about ½ cup)
½ cup celery chopped
¼ flat-leaf parsley chopped
1 28 oz. can whole tomatoes San Marzano are excellent, with juice
2 8 oz bottles clam juice
1 cup dry white wine Sauvignon blanc is good
2 bay leafs
1 tablespoon dried basil
½ teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon dried thyme leaves
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flake
½ teaspoon salt more to taste
Juice of 1 lemon about 2 teaspoons
12 small hard-shell clams in shell
12 mussels in shell
1 lb extra-large shrimp peeled and deveined
1 lb bay scallops
1 lb firm white fish fillets cod, halibut, haddock are all good choices
2 lbs fresh steamed crab legs

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Instructions

In a large soup pot, or preferably large Dutch oven, over medium-low heat, heat olive oil, then add butter and let melt. Add onions, garlic, bell pepper, celery and parsley. Cook until soft, about 8 minutes.
Add tomatoes (break them up with your hands as you add them to the pot), and add the juice from the can.
Add the clam juice, wine, bay leaf, basil, oregano, thyme, red pepper flakes, salt, and lemon juice; bring to just a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour.
NOTE: At this point, stock may be refrigerated, covered and kept up to 2 days before serving. Just bring the stock back to a boil about 20 minutes before serving, lower the heat, and progress with the recipe.
Scrub the clams and mussels with a small stiff brush under cold running water; remove beards from mussels.
Discard any open clams or mussels. Let cold water run over shells for 5 minutes (shaking every minute, or so).
Gently stir into the sauce the clams, mussels, shrimp, scallops, and fish fillets. Cover the dish and let simmer for 7 - 8 minutes, until the clams and mussels open. Discard any shells that have not opened.
Add the crab legs and steam until heated through, another 2 - 3 minutes.
Try not to stir too much (it will break up the fish), and don't overcook!!
Remove the bay leaves. Adjust seasonings
Ladle sauce and seafood into large bowls and serve with toasted bread.