Bellas Andalusian Sea Food Stew

SEAFOOD STEW

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a Dutch oven or stockpot, add the onions, potatoes, fennel, salt, and pepper, and saute over medium-low heat for 15 minutes, until the onions begin to brown. Add the wine and scrape up the brown bits with a wooden spoon. Add the tomatoes with their juices, stock, garlic, and saffron to the pot, bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, until the potatoes are tender. Add the shrimp, fish, and mussels, bring to a boil, then lower the heat, cover, and cook for 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and allow the pot to sit covered for another 5 minutes. The fish and shrimp should be cooked and the mussels opened. Discard any mussels that don't open. Stir in the Pernod, orange zest, and salt, to taste. Serve ladled over 1 or 2 slices of toasted baguette.;
• Warm the oil in the pan over medium heat. Add the shrimp shells, onions, carrots, and celery over medium heat for 15 minutes, until lightly browned. Add the garlic and cook 2 more minutes. Add 1 1¿2 quarts of water, the white wine, tomato paste, salt, pepper, and thyme. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 1 hour. Strain through a sieve, pressing the solids. You should have approximately 1 quart of stock. If not, you can make up the difference with water or white wine.

SPANISH ANDALUSIAN STEW

Steps:

• In a large casserole, heat the olive oil. Add the salt pork and sauté over fairly high heat for 5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and reserve.
• Add the pieces of ham, pork and chicken to the casserole. Brown over high heat, then season with salt and pepper.
• Return the reserved salt pork to the casserole. Pour in the cold water and bring rapidly to a boil. Skim the surface. Add the chick-peas and return to a boil, then lower heat, cover and simmer gently for 1 1/2 hours. Add the vegetables, re-cover and continue simmering for 1 more hour.
• Season the stew with the garlic, saffron, cumin and coriander, then remove vegetables and meats with a slotted spoon and arrange on a heated serving platter. Bring broth to a boil and reduce slightly over high heat. Pour broth over meat and vegetables. Serve immediately. Serves 4 to 6.
• Larousse Treasury of Country Cooking.