David's Cioppino

David's Cioppino
Recipe submitted by David Gaimari

What is Cioppino?

Cioppino is a fish stew originating in San Francisco.  It is considered an Italian-American dish, and is related to various regional fish soups and stews of Italian cuisine.   Cioppino is traditionally made from the catch of the day, which in the dish's place of origin is typically a combination of dungeness crab, clams, shrimp, scallops, squid, mussels and fish. The seafood is then combined with fresh tomatoes in a wine sauce, and served with toasted bread, either sourdough or baguette.  Definition from Wikipedia.org

Ingredients:

3/4 cup butter
2 onions, chopped
3 tablespoons garlic, minced
1 bunch fresh parsley, chopped

1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
2 (14.5 oz) cans chicken broth
2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
2 1/2 cups white wine

2 (1 lb) frozen Seafood Medley packages (calamari, mussels, octopus and shrimp)
1 (1 lb) pasteurized crab meat

Directions:

Over medium-low heat melt butter in a large stockpot, add onions, garlic and parsley.  Cook slowly, stirring occasionally until onions are soft.

Add the crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, bay leaves, basil, thyme, oregano and wine to the pot and mix well.  Cover and simmer for 30 minutes.

Stir in the Seafood Medley packages and crab meat.  Bring to boil.  Lower heat, cover and simmer for 5 to 7 minutes.

Ladle soup into bowls and serve with warm, crusty bread.

12 to 14 servings

Recipe submitted by David Gaimari