Normandy Seafood Stew

SEAFOOD STEW WITH FENNEL AND THYME

Steps:

• Combine mussels, 1 1/4 cups onions, wine, and 8 parsley sprigs in large pot; bring to boil. Cover and cook until mussels open, shaking pot often, about 5 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer mussels to large bowl to cool (discard any mussels that do not open). Strain cooking liquid into large measuring cup; discard vegetables in strainer. Add enough water to cooking liquid to measure 2 cups total. Remove mussels from shells if desired.
• Melt butter in same large pot over medium heat. Add remaining 1 1/4 cups onions, leeks, and fennel and sauté until leeks are soft, stirring frequently, about 7 minutes. Add reserved mussel cooking liquid, 4 parsley sprigs, clam juice, thyme sprigs, and bay leaves. Simmer uncovered until vegetables are tender and liquid has reduced by 1/3, about 25 minutes. Add halibut and scallops to broth and simmer until just opaque in center, about 4 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer halibut and scallops to bowl. Discard parsley sprigs, thyme sprigs, and bay leaves.
• Whisk crème fraîche and egg yolks in medium bowl to blend. Whisk in 1/2 cup hot cooking liquid from pot. Gradually stir yolk mixture into stew. Cook over medium heat until liquid thickens slightly, stirring constantly, about 5 minutes (do not allow mixture to boil). Return halibut, scallops, and mussels to pan. Cook until halibut is heated through, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Stir in 1/2 cup chopped parsley. Season with salt and pepper. Serve in warmed shallow bowls.
• *Crème fraîche is sold at some supermarkets. If unavailable, heat 1 cup whipping cream to lukewarm (85°F). Remove from heat and mix in 2 tablespoons buttermilk. Cover and let stand in warm, draft-free area until slightly thickened, 24 to 48 hours, depending on temperature of room. Refrigerate until ready to use.

NORMANDY-STYLE PORK STEW

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Season pork with salt and pepper. Melt butter in an ovenproof braiser pan, large straight-sided skillet, or wide, shallow pot over medium-high heat. When foam subsides, add pork and cook, turning a few times, until browned all over, 10 to 12 minutes (do not crowd pan; brown in two batches if necessary). Transfer to a plate.
• Add bacon and shallots to pan; reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring a few times, until bacon renders its fat and shallots turn golden brown in places, 6 to 8 minutes. Return pork and any accumulated juices to pan. Sprinkle evenly with flour, stir, and cook 1 minute. Add bay leaf and cider; boil 1 minute. Add broth and return to a boil.
• Cover and transfer to oven; braise 45 minutes. Stir in carrots and celery, cover, and return to oven until pork is fork-tender and carrots are tender but still holding their shape, 1 hour to 1 hour, 15 minutes. Remove and discard bay leaf. Stir in crème fraîche and Dijon. Top with herbs; serve with more crème fraîche and Dijon.

CREAMY SHELLFISH AND ROOT VEGETABLE STEW

Steps:

• Bring clam juice and wine to simmer in heavy large pot. Add clams, then mussels to pot. Cover; cook until shellfish begin to open, about 2 minutes for mussels and about 8 minutes for clams. Using slotted spoon, transfer shellfish to large bowl as they open. Discard any that do not open after 12 minutes. Reserve liquid in pot.
• Add shrimp shells to cooking liquid. Cover and simmer over low heat 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Strain liquid into 4-cup glass measuring cup. Discard solids.
• Melt butter in clean large pot over low heat. Add leek. Cover; cook until leek is tender, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Add potato and celery root. Pour in reserved cooking liquid, leaving any sediment in measuring cup. Add Calvados. Bring to simmer. Cover and simmer until potato is almost tender, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Stir in shrimp and scallops. Cover; simmer 2 minutes.
• Whisk crème fraîche, egg yolks and lemon juice in small bowl to blend. Stir into stew. Return clams and mussels to pot. Cover and cook without boiling until shrimp and scallops are just cooked through, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Divide among bowls. Sprinkle parsley over.