Zuppa Di Pesce E Frutti Di Mare Mediterranean Seafood Soup

ZUPPA DI MARE (SEAFOOD SOUP)

Steps:

• In a food processor, chop garlic and anchovies; add 2 tablespoons parsley, red pepper flakes, oregano and 2 tablespoons olive oil.
• Process to form a loose paste (I had to add more of the olive oil - add up to 2 more tablespoons to process).
• In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, saute softrito, over medium heat, until the garlic pieces are golden and it sizzles.
• Stir in the mussels and clams, tossing to coat in sofrito.
• Add wine, increase heat to medium high, and cook until reduced by half.
• Stir in stock, tomato sauce, and saffron; return to a simmer.
• Add diced fish and cook one minute.
• Add scallops, cook one minute.
• Add shrimp, cook one minute.
• Add squid; taste for seasonings.
• By this time the shells should have opened (sometimes the shellfish, especially the mussels, open before this point and I remove them so they don't get rubbery, then return them at the end), if not cover for a minute or so, until they open; discard any shells that do not open.
• Drizzle 2 tablespoons olive oil over soup and garnish with remaining parsley.

ZUPPA DI PESCE E FRUTTI DI MARE (MEDITERRANEAN SEAFOOD SOUP)

Steps:

• Cut cod into pieces, reserving any scraps. Peel and devein prawns, reserving any scraps.
• Place cod and prawn scraps, quartered onion, carrot, celery, salt, and pepper in a large saucepan; cover with water. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer until fish stock is fragrant, 15 to 20 minutes. Strain and reserve fish stock.
• Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat; cook and stir sliced onion, red chile pepper, and minced garlic until softened, 5 to 10 minutes. Pour in wine; cook for 5 minutes. Add tomatoes; bring to a boil. Add cod, prawns, clams, and mussels; pour in 1 cup fish stock. Simmer until fish is cooked through and clams and mussels have opened, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Toast bread in a toaster. Rub garlic halves on to 1 side of toasted bread.
• Place a piece of toasted bread in the bottom of each serving bowl. Ladle soup over toasted bread and top with parsley.