USA · Soups

Cioppino

A San Francisco seafood stew of Italian-American origin: Dungeness crab, clams, mussels, shrimp, and white fish simmered in a tomato-and-white-wine broth scented with fennel and garlic.

50 min✻6 servings✻360 kcal
Cioppino

Ingredients

  • Dungeness crab1 whole
  • clams500 g
  • mussels500 g
  • shrimp350 g
  • white fish fillets400 g
  • extra virgin olive oil3 tbsp
  • fennel1 bulb
  • yellow onion1 whole
  • garlic4 cloves
  • red pepper flakes0.5 tsp
  • tomato paste2 tbsp
  • crushed tomatoes800 g
  • dry white wine240 ml
  • seafood stock500 ml
  • bay leaf1 whole
  • dried oregano1 tsp
  • flat-leaf parsley3 tbsp
  • fresh basil2 tbsp
  • salt1.5 tsp
  • black pepper0.5 tsp

Method

  1. 1Heat the olive oil in a large heavy pot over medium heat. Add the chopped fennel and onion and cook until soft, about 8 to 10 minutes.
  2. 2Stir in the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook 1 minute until fragrant; do not let the garlic brown. Add the tomato paste and cook 1 minute more to deepen it.
  3. 3Pour in the dry white wine and simmer until reduced by half. Add the crushed tomatoes, seafood stock, bay leaf, and oregano.
  4. 4Bring to a gentle simmer and cook uncovered 20 to 30 minutes, until the broth is rich. Season with salt and pepper.
  5. 5Crack the Dungeness crab into pieces. Add the crab, clams, and mussels, cover, and simmer 3 to 4 minutes until the shells begin to open.
  6. 6Add the white fish and shrimp, nestling them into the broth. Simmer gently 3 to 4 minutes more, until the fish flakes and the shrimp are pink.
  7. 7Discard any clams or mussels that stay shut. Keep the simmer gentle throughout so the seafood stays tender.
  8. 8Stir in the parsley and basil. Ladle into deep bowls and serve with sourdough for soaking up the broth.