Brodetto (Fish Stew) Ancona-Style

Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 45 min
Servings: 6
Yield: 6 servings

Description

This Ancona-style brodetto (fish stew) recipe has a tangy tomato-based fish broth filled with fresh clams, shrimp, and fish. You can also add lobster.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 celery ribs, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
1 cup chopped fresh parsley
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 bay leaves
red pepper flakes to taste
1 (28 ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, mashed
1 1/2 pounds red snapper fillets, cut into 2 inch pieces
1/2 cup white vinegar
3 cups fish stock
1 pound clams in shell, scrubbed
1/2 pound medium shrimp, with shells
salt and ground black pepper to taste
6 (3/4 inch thick) slices Italian bread, toasted

Directions

1 Heat olive oil in a large saucepan, Dutch oven, or clay pot (preferable) over medium heat. Add onion, celery, carrot, parsley, garlic, bay leaves, and pepper flakes; cook and stir until onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes.
2 Stir in mashed tomatoes; cook for 15 minutes. Add fish and vinegar (or wine); cook until liquid has almost evaporated, about 10 minutes. Add fish stock, cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 10 minutes.
3 Gently stir in clams; cook until opened (discard any clams that don't open), about 2 minutes. Stir in shrimp; cook until pink, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper.
4 Place 1 slice toasted bread in bottom of each bowl. Spoon brodetto over top; serve immediately.