Embark on a culinary journey to the vibrant shores of San Francisco with Cioppino, a classic seafood stew that harmoniously blends the flavors of the sea. This hearty and aromatic dish is a symphony of fresh crab meat, plump mussels, and an array of seafood treasures simmered in a rich, tomato-based broth. Savor the delicate sweetness of crab, the briny essence of mussels, and the medley of flavors from clams, shrimp, and calamari.
Dive into the enticing variations of Cioppino featured in this article. Discover the traditional recipe, where the seafood symphony is elevated by a medley of fresh vegetables, herbs, and a touch of white wine. For a spicy twist, explore the "Spicy Cioppino" variation, where fiery chili peppers ignite your taste buds. If you prefer a creamy rendition, the "Creamy Cioppino" recipe infuses the stew with a velvety richness.
Gluten-free enthusiasts can rejoice in the "Gluten-Free Cioppino" variation, where traditional ingredients are skillfully adapted to cater to dietary restrictions. And for those seeking a delightful interplay of textures, the "Cioppino with Glass Noodles" recipe introduces the delicate chewiness of glass noodles, adding a unique dimension to the classic stew.
Each recipe is meticulously crafted to guide you through the culinary process, ensuring a flavorful and authentic Cioppino experience. Indulge in the vibrant flavors of San Francisco's culinary heritage with these diverse Cioppino recipes, promising a taste of the sea in every spoonful.
PACIFIC NW CIOPPINO WITH ROCKFISH, SALMON, MUSSELS AND DUNGENESS CRAB CAKE
Steps:
- Heat a large saute pan over medium-high heat and add the clarified butter; once hot, add the salmon and rockfish and cook 1 minute 30 seconds per side, reducing heat if necessary to avoid burning. Working quickly, add the white wine and mussels and cover the pan. Check mussels after 1 minute to see if they have opened, then cover and continue to cook for another minute if not. Uncover and add Cioppino. Cook until sauce is warm through, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a serving bowl, topped with Crab Cake and garnished with parsley.
- Heat an 8- to 10-quart stockpot over medium heat; add the oil. Add the carrot, celery and onion and stir to coat in oil. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are cooked through but not falling apart, 10 to 15 minutes. Add the garlic puree, oregano, chile flakes, fennel seed, marjoram and thyme, and stir to coat; cook for 2 minutes. Turn the heat up to medium-high, then add clam broth, diced tomato, tomato sauce, tomato paste, red wine, basil, sugar, red wine vinegar, anchovy paste, lemon juice and bay leaves. Stir well to combine. Turn the heat down to low when it starts to bubble. Simmer, stirring occasionally so the bottom of the stockpot does not scorch, for 2 hours. Can be served immediately, or cooled completely and refrigerated to use within 3 days or frozen up to 3 months.
- Heat a large saute pan over medium heat; add the butter and onions. Sweat the onions until translucent in color and soft but not falling apart, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a bowl to cool.
- Meanwhile, combine the red pepper, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, parsley, Worcestershire sauce, seafood seasoning, hot sauce, eggs and the cooled onions in a large mixing bowl; stir to combine. Gently, working with your hands, mix in Dungeness crab and then 1/2 cup panko. Don't overwork the mixture; you want it to still have larger pieces of crab intact. Refrigerate 10 to 20 minutes.
- Portion the mixture into 3-ounce balls and roll them in a bowl containing the remaining 1 cup panko. Shape the cakes using either a 2-inch ring mold or by hand by sprinkling about 1 tablespoon panko onto a clean work surface and gently pressing the ball into a cake shape. Sprinkle a small amount of panko on top of the crab cake and gently press it into the cake. Press in the sides of the cake to repair any cracks or tears so it does not fall apart during the cooking process. (You can make the cakes up to 24 hours ahead of when you plan on cooking and serving. They hold well refrigerated in an airtight container with parchment paper in between them if you are going to stack them.)
- Deep fry crab cakes in canola oil at 350 degrees F until crispy and golden brown, about 2 minutes, or pan-fry in about 1/2 inch oil until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. You can also cook on a griddle or in a saute pan on medium to medium-high heat in about a teaspoon of cooking oil or butter each until a golden brown crust develops, 4 to 5 minutes per side.
CRAB CIOPPINO
Steps:
- In an 8-quart kettle or pot, heat the olive oil and saute the onions until transparent. Add the garlic and saute until it begins to brown. Stir in crab butter and let cook slowly for 2 minutes (crab butter is saffron yellow in color and adds a distinctive rich flavor). Next, add the wine, and reduce. Add tomatoes and tomato sauce, broth, and live crabs.
- To simmer at low heat for about 5 minutes. Add shrimp, clams, mussels and cook for 2 more minutes. Serve in a bowls and sprinkle with fresh parsley. Add salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes, to taste.
- If your crab is cooked ahead of time, add it to the recipe at the same time you add the clams, shrimp, and mussels.
- *Fresh crab usually has yellowish matter under the shell in the center of the body, called crab butter, or fat, or mustard. It is edible and considered quite tasty.
- Warm heavy skillet on medium heat. Add olive oil and diced onion. When onion becomes transparent, add the garlic and cook until lightly brown. Add tomatoes, basil leaves, salt and pepper, and simmer for 45 minutes.;
CRAB AND SEAFOOD CIOPPINO
Steps:
- In a large stockpot over high heat, add olive oil and slowly cook onions and garlic until soft and translucent, about 10 minutes. Add the basil, parsley, oregano, thyme and black pepper. Season with salt. Add dry red pepper, if desired. Add canned tomatoes and tomato sauce and bring to a boil. Add stock and wine and reduce heat to a simmer.
- About 15 to 20 minutes before serving, start to add seafood. Add the crabs as they will take about 15 to 18 minutes to cook. About 3 to 5 minutes after the crabs are added, add the clams and/or mussels. About 10 minutes later, add the prawns. After 2 minutes, add the scallops and fish fillets and cook for 3 minutes, or until the clams and/or mussels open. Discard any unopened shellfish.
- Serve in bowls with bread.
MUSSEL CIOPPINO
The sweet brininess of mussels adds body and complexity to this shellfish stew in minutes. Chopped Basket Ingredient: Mussels
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 30m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Heat the oil in a large heavy pot over medium-high heat until hot. Add the garlic, onions, 1 teaspoon salt and 3/4 teaspoon pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 10 minutes. Stir in the wine, pepper flakes and thyme, and boil until reduced by half, about 1 1/2 minutes. Stir in the pureed tomatoes and broth and bring to a simmer. Add the mussels and cover the pot. Cook until the mussels have opened wide, about 6 minutes. Discard any that didn't open. Season with salt and pepper.
- Transfer to serving bowls and sprinkle with the parsley. Serve with crusty bread.
CIOPPINO
Giada De Laurentiis' Cioppino, an Italian-American fisherman's stew, is a lighter alternative to heavy holiday meals, from Everyday Italian on Food Network.
Provided by Giada De Laurentiis
Categories main-dish
Time 1h30m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Heat the oil in a very large pot over medium heat. Add the fennel, onion, shallots, and salt and saute until the onion is translucent, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic and 3/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes, and saute 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 clams and mussels begin to open, about 5 minutes. Add the shrimp and fish. Simmer gently until the fish and shrimp are just cooked through, and the clams are completely open, stirring gently, about 5 minutes longer (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 bowls and serve.
GLASS NOODLES WITH CRAB
Provided by Mark Bittman
Categories main course, side dish
Time 30m
Yield 2 large or 4 small servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Cover noodles in warm water for about 10 minutes. Drain.
- Put oil in a wok or large skillet, and turn heat to high. A minute later, add garlic and half the scallions and, almost immediately, the noodles and crab. Toss, and stir to mix the ingredients.
- Add the sauces, taste, and adjust seasoning as necessary. Toss with sesame oil and remaining scallions. Garnish, and serve.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 398, UnsaturatedFat 6 grams, Carbohydrate 67 grams, Fat 8 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 15 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 2382 milligrams, Sugar 1 gram, TransFat 0 grams
OLD-STYLE SAN FRANCISCO CRAB CIOPPINO
San Francisco Cioppino. Many have had it with the heavy red sauce and seafood. Not the best, in our opinion. This recipe was handed down from an elderly Italian lady in San Francisco in the 50's. Hehee...original recipe called for a "cheese glass" of white wine. So authentic! This recipe makes the most wonderful seafood broth, a touch spicy with loads of great seafood. We have made it for years and it is a real winner! This is a very authentic, old style, San Francisco Crab Cioppino. The recommended ingredients make enough for 6-8 hungry seafood fans. This is the kind of meal where you can sit and eat and sip wine for a few hours. You will need plenty of napkins and bibs are recommended. You will also need some crab/lobster tools to get all of the wonderful meat. Share this with people you know, who won't mind getting rather messy! Don't forget lots of toasted sourdough garlic bread. Dip it in the broth as you go. If you are a seafood fan and love a great broth, you will not be dissapointed.
Provided by Docs Mom
Categories Crab
Time 2h
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 20
Steps:
- Using a TALL 8-10 quart pot, cover the bottom of the pot with a good virgin olive oil, about ¼ cup. Add the chopped onion, sage, garlic, parsley and celery and sauté slow and stirring often until tender, approximately 20 minutes. If it gets too dry, add a little more olive oil. Add tomato sauce and cayenne pepper. Reduce to lowest simmer and cook for approximately 45-60 minutes, stirring occasionally. If it gets too dry, add a little water.
- Add 10-12 cups of water and bring to a boil. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Begin adding the seafood. Raw crab first (if not raw, then cooked is an ok substitute.) If you get raw crab, cleaned and chopped, it will be much better). Return to a low boil, then lower to low-medium heat for 15 minutes.
- Then add clams and mussels. Continue to simmer 10 minutes. Add the shrimp and scallops, simmer for 10 minutes, along with a cheese glass of white wine (6 oz.) before serving. Ok if this sits on low heat for 15-20 minutes. Add the fish 5-7 minutes before you are ready to serve. Any longer than that, take it off the heat and reheat gently before serving. Ladle into large bowls and have a few extra bowls on the table for shells.
- Have plenty of garlic and olive oil basted sourdough bread, finished with shredded parmesan cheese and your favorite California Chardonay. Offer the usual complement of crab tools, crackers, pickers, etc.
- Left-overs should be refrigerated and eaten next day or two. After eating, offer your guests a warm hand towel with fresh lemon squirted on it, with a little water, microwave on high for 30 seconds.
Tips:
- Prep Ingredients: Before starting, measure and prep all ingredients to ensure a smooth cooking process.
- Choose Fresh Seafood: Use the freshest crab meat and mussels possible for the best flavor.
- Sauté Aromatics: Sauté onions, garlic, and fennel in olive oil until softened for a flavorful base.
- Use Quality White Wine: Select a dry white wine that you enjoy drinking for a delicious broth.
- Simmer Broth: Bring the broth to a simmer and maintain it throughout the cooking process to extract maximum flavor.
- Add Seafood: Gently add the crab meat and mussels to the simmering broth and cook until just heated through to prevent overcooking.
- Cook Glass Noodles: Cook the glass noodles according to package instructions, drain, and rinse with cold water.
- Serve Immediately: Serve the cioppino hot with the cooked glass noodles and garnish with fresh herbs.
Conclusion:
This crab meat and mussels cioppino with glass noodles is a delightful seafood stew that combines the flavors of the sea into a hearty and comforting dish. With its aromatic broth, tender seafood, and delicate glass noodles, this recipe is sure to impress your friends and family. Enjoy it as a main course for a special occasion or a cozy dinner at home. Experiment with different types of seafood, vegetables, and herbs to create your own unique cioppino variation.
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