FISHMONGER'S STEW

Fishmonger's Stew image

This hearty fish and shellfish stew is good for a chilly winter evening. It veers Mediterranean, with a base of leeks and onions, a bit of tomato, potatoes, saffron and garlic.

Provided by David Tanis

Categories dinner, soups and stews, main course

Time 45m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 20

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Ingredients

1 dozen medium-small clams, like littlenecks
1 pound mussels
3/4 pound monkfish or other firm-fleshed white fish, in 1-inch cubes
3/4 pound scrod, flounder, or other soft-fleshed white fish, in 1-inch cubes
0.75 pound squid, in 0.5-inch rings, plus tentacles
1/2 pound bay scallops, optional Salt and pepper
4 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups medium-diced onions
3 cups medium-diced leeks, rinsed of grit
1/2 cup diced canned tomato
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme leaves, or a few thyme sprigs
1 bay leaf
Pinch of saffron, about 1/8 teaspoon
4 garlic cloves, chopped
1 teaspoon paprika
Pinch red pepper flakes
6 cups fish stock, chicken broth, or water
1 pound Yellow Finn or russet potatoes, peeled, in 1/2-inch slices
Garlic-saffron sauce
Salt and pepper

Steps:

Soak the clams in cold water to remove grit and sand, then drain. Rinse and de-beard the mussels. Put the monkfish, scrod, squid and bay scallops (if using) in separate small bowls. Season the fish lightly with salt and pepper.
Heat the olive oil in a heavy-bottomed soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onions and leeks and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the tomato, thyme, bay leaf, saffron, garlic, paprika and red pepper flakes. Season generously with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, for another 5 minutes.
Turn the heat to high, add the fish stock, chicken broth or water, and bring to a boil. Taste for salt and adjust to taste. Add the potatoes and reduce the heat so they simmer gently until firm-tender, about 10 minutes. (The stew may be prepared to this point up to 2 hours ahead.)
To finish the stew, return the heat to a brisk simmer. Add the clams and cook till they open, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the mussels, monkfish and scrod and simmer until the mussels open, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the squid and scallops, if using, and cook 1 minute more. Turn off the heat, stir in the garlic-saffron sauce.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 588, UnsaturatedFat 12 grams, Carbohydrate 59 grams, Fat 17 grams, Fiber 13 grams, Protein 58 grams, SaturatedFat 4 grams, Sodium 1756 milligrams, Sugar 5 grams, TransFat 0 grams