Mendocino Fish Stew Food

MENDOCINO FISH STEW

Steps:

• Warm the olive oil in a heavy casserole or saucepan. Add the onions and cook over low heat until soft, about 10 minutes, stirring often. Add garlic and cook 5 minutes more.
• Add the white wine, lemon rind and saffron. Increase heat to medium and simmer 10 to 15 minutes, until the wine reduces to 1/4 cup. In another pot, boil potatoes until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain, set aside until cool and quarter.
• Add the tomato puree, peppers, olives and oregano to the wine mixture. Simmer 5 minutes more. Remove the lemon rind, season to taste with salt and pepper. Add the cod, cover and simmer gently until fish is cooked through, about 3 minutes. Divide the potatoes among 4 bowls. Ladle fish stew over potatoes, garnish with basil and serve immediately.

ITALIAN-STYLE FISH STEW

Steps:

• Marinate the fish: Cut fish into 2-inch chunks and place in a medium bowl. Season generously with salt and pepper. Add half the chopped thyme, 1 tablespoon olive oil and the lemon slices. Toss to coat and set aside for 30 minutes (or refrigerate for up to 8 hours).
• Put 2 tablespoons olive oil in a wide heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add onions, season with salt and pepper and cook until softened, stirring, 5 or 6 minutes.
• Add reserved thyme, minced garlic, saffron, red pepper flakes, fennel seed, bay leaf and tomato paste and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes more. Add wine, tomatoes and stock or water and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes. Taste and adjust; the broth should be well seasoned. (This seasoned base may be prepared up to 1 day in advance, if desired.)
• Heat oven to 450 degrees. Arrange fish, clams and lemon slices in the bottom of a 9-by-12-inch baking dish or a wide earthenware casserole of similar size. Ladle the broth over everything, cover and bake for 20 minutes, or until clams have opened and fish flakes easily.
• Toast the bread and rub each slice with garlic. Sprinkle parsley over the soup. Serve in low soup bowls, giving each guest some fish, clams, broth and garlic toast.