Seafood Stew With Tomatoes And Basil

Recipe By     : Kathleen Schrecengost (Bon Appetit February 1998)
Serving Size  : 4    Preparation Time :0:30
Categories    : Seafoods

Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   1/4  Cup           Olive Oil
 1 1/4  Cups          Onion -- Chopped
 2      Tablespoons   Garlic -- Chopped
 4      Teaspoons     Oregano -- Dried, Seeded
 1 1/2  Teaspoons     Fennel Seeds
 2 1/2  Cups          Crushed Tomatoes With Added Puree
 2 1/2  Cups          Clam Juice -- Bottled
 1      Cup           Cry White Wine
13      Ounces        Chopped Claims (2 - 6 1/2 Ounce Cans) -- Drained
                      -- Reserve Liquid
 1      Pound         Large Shrimp -- Peeled, Deveined
 6      Ounces        Crabmeat
   1/2  Cup           Fresh Basil -- Chopped
                      Cayenne Pepper To Taste

Heat olive oil in heavy large pot over medium heat.  Add onion, garlic, oregano and fennel seeds and saute until onion is tender, about 8 minutes.  Add tomatoes, clam juice, white wine and liquid reserved from clams.  Increase heat and boil until slightly thickened, about 15 minutes.  Add claims, shrimp and crabmeat.  

Reduce heat and simmer 2 minutes.  Mix in fresh basil and simmer
until shrimp are just opaque in center, about 2 minutes longer.  Season stew to taste with cayenne, salt and pepper.

Notes:  This Italian-style stew - called cioppino - makes a hearty supper. Serve it with a green salad, garlic bread and a crisp white wine.

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