🌶️ Spicy Seafood Stew (Cioppino-Inspired)
📝 Introduction:
This Spicy Seafood Stew is a rich, zesty dish filled with your favorite seafood simmered in a garlicky, spiced tomato broth. Inspired by Mediterranean and coastal Italian flavors (like Cioppino), it’s great served with crusty bread to soak up every drop of the bold, aromatic broth.
⏱️ Prep & Cook Time:
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 4
🛒 Ingredients:
For the Stew Base:
2 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, diced
2 shallots, sliced
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to heat preference)
1 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp fennel seeds (optional)
½ cup dry white wine (or seafood broth)
1 (15 oz) can crushed tomatoes
2½ cups seafood stock (or fish/vegetable broth)
Salt & black pepper to taste
Zest of ½ lemon
Seafood (Mix & Match to Your Taste):
½ lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
½ lb mussels or clams, scrubbed
½ lb white fish (cod, halibut, or tilapia), cut into chunks
½ lb scallops or squid rings (optional)
To Serve:
Chopped parsley
Crusty bread or garlic toast
Lemon wedges
Extra red pepper flakes or chili oil (optional)
🍲 Instructions:
1. Sauté the aromatics:
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, shallots, and bell pepper. Sauté 5–6 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic, red pepper flakes, paprika, and fennel seeds. Cook for 1 minute.
2. Deglaze with wine:
Pour in white wine and scrape the bottom of the pot. Let it simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly reduced.
3. Add tomatoes and stock:
Add crushed tomatoes, seafood stock, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and let cook uncovered for 10–15 minutes to develop flavor.
4. Add the seafood:
Add fish chunks first and cook for 3–4 minutes. Then stir in shrimp, mussels, and scallops (if using). Cover and cook another 4–6 minutes, until mussels open and shrimp are opaque. Discard any unopened shellfish.
5. Finish and serve:
Taste and adjust seasoning. Ladle into bowls, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and serve with crusty bread and lemon wedges.
💡 Tips:
Spicier version: Add diced fresh chili or hot sauce.
No wine? Use extra broth with a splash of lemon juice or white wine vinegar.
Prep ahead: Make the base up to 2 days in advance. Add seafood just before serving.
Bread pairing idea: Toasted baguette with garlic butter or sourdough works perfectly.
❓ Q&A:
Q: Can I make this dairy-free and gluten-free?
A: Yes! The stew is naturally dairy- and gluten-free. Just serve with gluten-free bread if needed.
Q: What’s the best fish to use?
A: Firm white fish like cod, halibut, or sea bass hold up well in stew.
Q: Can I use frozen seafood?
A: Absolutely. Thaw it fully and pat dry before adding to the pot.
Q: Can I make this in advance?
A: Yes, but for best texture, cook the base ahead and add seafood fresh before serving.
🥣 Nutrition (Per Serving):
(Approximate values — will vary by seafood mix)
Calories: 350
Protein: 35g
Carbohydrates: 12g
Fat: 15g
Fiber: 3g
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 750mg