Cioppino is a classic Italian-American seafood stew that originated in San Francisco in the mid-19th century. It is a hearty and flavorful dish that is perfect for a special occasion or a casual weeknight meal. Cioppino is typically made with a variety of seafood, such as shrimp, crab, mussels, clams, and fish, in a tomato-based broth. It is often served with crusty bread or rice.
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OLD-STYLE SAN FRANCISCO CRAB CIOPPINO
San Francisco Cioppino. Many have had it with the heavy red sauce and seafood. Not the best, in our opinion. This recipe was handed down from an elderly Italian lady in San Francisco in the 50's. Hehee...original recipe called for a "cheese glass" of white wine. So authentic! This recipe makes the most wonderful seafood broth, a touch spicy with loads of great seafood. We have made it for years and it is a real winner! This is a very authentic, old style, San Francisco Crab Cioppino. The recommended ingredients make enough for 6-8 hungry seafood fans. This is the kind of meal where you can sit and eat and sip wine for a few hours. You will need plenty of napkins and bibs are recommended. You will also need some crab/lobster tools to get all of the wonderful meat. Share this with people you know, who won't mind getting rather messy! Don't forget lots of toasted sourdough garlic bread. Dip it in the broth as you go. If you are a seafood fan and love a great broth, you will not be dissapointed.
Provided by Docs Mom
Categories Crab
Time 2h
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 20
Steps:
- Using a TALL 8-10 quart pot, cover the bottom of the pot with a good virgin olive oil, about ¼ cup. Add the chopped onion, sage, garlic, parsley and celery and sauté slow and stirring often until tender, approximately 20 minutes. If it gets too dry, add a little more olive oil. Add tomato sauce and cayenne pepper. Reduce to lowest simmer and cook for approximately 45-60 minutes, stirring occasionally. If it gets too dry, add a little water.
- Add 10-12 cups of water and bring to a boil. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Begin adding the seafood. Raw crab first (if not raw, then cooked is an ok substitute.) If you get raw crab, cleaned and chopped, it will be much better). Return to a low boil, then lower to low-medium heat for 15 minutes.
- Then add clams and mussels. Continue to simmer 10 minutes. Add the shrimp and scallops, simmer for 10 minutes, along with a cheese glass of white wine (6 oz.) before serving. Ok if this sits on low heat for 15-20 minutes. Add the fish 5-7 minutes before you are ready to serve. Any longer than that, take it off the heat and reheat gently before serving. Ladle into large bowls and have a few extra bowls on the table for shells.
- Have plenty of garlic and olive oil basted sourdough bread, finished with shredded parmesan cheese and your favorite California Chardonay. Offer the usual complement of crab tools, crackers, pickers, etc.
- Left-overs should be refrigerated and eaten next day or two. After eating, offer your guests a warm hand towel with fresh lemon squirted on it, with a little water, microwave on high for 30 seconds.
CIOPPINO OLD SAN FRANCISCO STYLE
Steps:
- Use a large (LARGE) stock pot. Sauté onions, garlic and bell peppers in olive oil and butter. Then add tomatoes, tomato sauce, pimentos, wine, fish stock, canned clams, and parsley. Simmer for a few hours. Add remaining seafood except shrimp. Make sure that your fish is covered with broth. Keep turning the crab. Let simmer for about 45 minutes. Then add shrimp about 20 minutes before serving. At end, to taste: - Tabasco( to taste) - Pinch of sugar Note: Play with the order and proportions of the seafood to suite your taste and budget. Cooking one element longer will add to the flavor of the dish, but may over cook the flesh so be careful!
Tips:
- Use the freshest seafood you can find. This will make a big difference in the flavor of your cioppino.
- Don't be afraid to experiment with different types of seafood. Cioppino is a great way to use up leftover seafood, so feel free to add whatever you have on hand.
- Make sure to use a good quality olive oil. This will also help to enhance the flavor of your cioppino.
- Don't overcook the seafood. Seafood cooks quickly, so be careful not to overcook it or it will become tough.
- Serve cioppino with a crusty bread or rice. This will help to soak up the delicious broth.
Conclusion:
Cioppino is a delicious and easy-to-make seafood stew that is perfect for a special occasion or a casual weeknight meal. With its variety of seafood, vegetables, and seasonings, cioppino is a dish that everyone will enjoy. So next time you're looking for a new seafood recipe to try, give cioppino a try. You won't be disappointed!
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