Christmas Eve Cioppino

[MadAl]

Been making this one for a while and've worked out the timing issues.

Cioppino
1/4 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 tsp basil (dried), or 12-15 fresh leaves, chopped
2 to 4 flat fillets of anchovies, drained
2-3 cloves garlic, crushed
1 bay leaf, fresh or dried
2 celery ribs, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1c good quality dry white wine
14oz chicken stock
32-oz can chunky crushed tomatoes
4 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves removed (about 1 tablespoon)
1 handful flat-leaf parsley, chopped
1 1/2 pounds cod, cut into 2-inch chunks, season with salt and pepper
8 large shrimp, ask for deveined easy-peel or peel and devein
8 sea scallops or a quarter lb bay scallops
16 to 20 raw mussels, scrubbed
1 can of crab meat
8 cherrystone clams
1/4lb squid
- free to try other fish or shellfish, cooking times may vary.
Loaf of fresh, crusty bread
Heat oil in a large pot over moderate heat, add anchovies, let melt into oil
Add garlic, let cook about a minute. add crushed pepper, basil and bay. add celery and onion. Saute vegetables for a few minutes to begin to soften and add wine. Reduce wine a minute, add chicken stock, tomatoes, thyme, and parsley. Bring sauce to a soft boil and reduce heat to medium low.
Add fish, cover pot and simmer 10 minutes, giving the pot a shake now and then. Do not stir soup with a spoon or it will break up fish. Add cherrystones and mussels cook for a few minutes, add shrimp cook for 3 minutes, add scallops and squid, and cover pot. Cook a few minutes until scallops and squid are opaque, giving the pot a good shake now and again.

I make the broth in advance, reheat with a little more red pepper flakes and once hot, add fish, etc.

Oh my, I love Cioppino. I always use "Fish Stock". I'll have to try the "Chicken Stock" this year.

Grazie, fratello!!!

[MadAl]

I've been meaning to try it with a fish stock! A little harder to find in these parts for some reason.