Something that is really neat about a recipe for fish stew is that fish covers so many things and kinds of fish and seafood. You can use most any kind of fish that you like and all kinds of shell fish. I have a basic recipe that I use but I very seldom use the same kind of fish and different sea foods. Seasonings are also something that you can vary to your liking. Do you like it hot and spicy? Are you a mild child? You can use different fresh herbs and various peppers according to your taste. You can use potatoes or turnips or other root vegetables if you want or you can have no veggies except onions. I love to try different things to come up with different tastes for my fish stew.

BILL'S FISH STEW

1/4 cup olive oil
5 cups chopped onions
3 tbsp minced garlic
2 28 oz cans of diced tomatoes in juice
3 cups dry white wine
3 8 oz bottles of clam juice
3/4 cup tomato paste
3 bay leaves
2 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
2 1/2 tsp grated orange peel
2 1/2 tsp fennel seeds, crushed
3/4 tsp dried crushed red pepper
24 littleneck clams, scrubbed
2 3/4 lbs cod fillets, cut into 2" pieces
1 1/2 lbs uncooked large shrimp, peeled, deveined
1 lb bay scallops
1 pint fresh gulf oysters with juice strained to remove any shells

Heat the oil in a 8-10 quart pot over medium heat. add onions and garlic and saute until the onions are tender, about ten minutes. add tomatoes with juice and the next 8 ingredients. Bring this to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer uncovered until flavors blend and liquid is slightly reduced, about 45 minutes

Add the clams to the cooking liquid/ cover the pot an cook until clams open, about ten minutes. Add the cod, shrimp, and scallops. Simmer about five minutes. add the oysters and juice and simmer a few minutes more till the edges of the oysters begin to curl. Season with salt and pepper.

This is excellent with some type of good crispy bread. You can sprinkle some fresh parsley, chives, or fresh basil on the top if you like. This is a very flexible recipe and all you need to do is have fun and try different things till you come up with the flavors you like best.

Learn more about this author, Bill Whitney.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about Recipes: Fish stew?
We want to hear your view. Write now!