Cioppino

Ingredients

3 Tbl olive oil

1 large fennel bulb, thinly sliced

1 medium onion, finely diced or 3 shallots, finely diced

2 tsp salt

4 large garlic cloves, finely chopped

3/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper flakes, plus more to taste

1/4 cup tomato paste

1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes in juice

1 1/2 cups dry white wine

5 cups fish stock

1 bay leaf

1 pound manila clams, scrubbed

1 pound mussels, scrubbed, debearded

1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined

1 1/2 pounds assorted firm-fleshed fish fillets such as halibut, swordfish or cod, cut into 2-inch chunks

Instructions

Heat the oil in a very large pot over medium heat. Add the fennel, onion or shallots, and salt and sauté until the onion is translucent, about 10 minutes.

Add the garlic and 3/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes, and sauté 2 minutes.

Stir in the tomato paste. Add tomatoes with their juices, wine, fish stock and bay leaf. Cover and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer until the flavors blend, about 30 minutes.

Add the clams and mussels to the cooking liquid. Cover and cook until the shellfish begin to open, about 5 minutes.

Add the shrimp and fish fillet. Simmer for 5 minutes longer, stirring gently, until the fish and shrimp are just cooked through and the clams are completely open. Discard any clams and mussels that do not open.

Season the soup, to taste, with more salt and red pepper flakes.

Ladle the soup into warm bowls and serve.