Mussel Brodetto Recipes

SAVOURY ITALIAN FISH SOUP (BRODETTO)

Steps:

• In a large stock pot over medium high heat add olive oil, celery, spring onion, marjoram, parsley, thyme, and garlic sauti until onions begin to become transparent about 5 minutes.
• Add the vinegar, cherry tomatoes, peperoncino, canned whole tomato, cuttlefish and wine.
• Allow to come up to a simmer and then cook for 10 minutes.
• Add the Bass by placing on top of the broth and very gently pushing the fish down.
• Allow to cook 5 minutes.
• Add the mussels, razor clams, shrimp, and squid by placing on top of broth and fish gently pushing down with a large ladle and basting the shell fish with the hot broth.
• Cover stockpot with a lid and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until mussels and clams are all open and shrimp and squid are cooked through.
• Taste and season with salt and pepper.
• Carefully remove to serving platter and sprinkle parsley on top.

MUSSEL BRODETTO RECIPE - (4/5)

Steps:

• Pour the 1/2 cup of olive oil into the big pan, toss in the garlic, and set over medium-high heat. After 2 or 3 minutes, when the garlic is sizzling nicely, drop in the lemon slices, raise the heat to high, and cook stirring, for a minute or so until the lemon is sizzling and melting into the oil and the garlic is just starting to turn golden. Toss in the onion slices, sprinkle on 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and cook, stirring and shaking the pan for 2 to 3 minutes or so, until wilted. Dump in all the mussels and immediately begin tossing them in the hot oil, lemon and onion, for a half a minute or so. Cover the pot and cook for a minute, shaking it often; uncover and pour in the wine, toss the mussels; add another 1/4 teaspoon salt and grinds of pepper, toss the mussels well and cover. Cook two minutes or so, until most of the mussels are opening and are still plump. Sprinkle the bread crumbs over all and toss well, mixing the crumbs with the sauce; then toss the mussels with the parsley. Finally, turn off the heat and drizzle the 2 tablespoons of olive oil all over and toss, coating the mussels with the hot sauce. Serve right away, in hot bowls, ladling some of the brodetto over each portion of mussels.

BRODETTO DI PESCE

Steps:

• Steam the mussels with the wine and water until opened, 3 to 5 minutes. Strain, reserve the broth and set the mussels aside to cool.
• Warm 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add one clove of garlic, chili-pepper flakes, ginger, coriander seed, orange rind and onion. Cook until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes, marjoram, thyme and the reserved mussel broth. Simmer for 20 minutes. Remove from heat and puree in a blender or food processor until smooth. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean saucepan. Add salt and pepper to taste. Simmer over medium-low heat.
• Preheat the grill or broiler. Use the remaining olive oil to brush the bread on both sides. Cut the remaining garlic clove in half lengthwise and rub the bread on both sides. Grill or broil the bread until golden. Remove and set aside.
• Add the squid, cod and snapper to the stew. Simmer for 3 minutes. Add the mussels and continue simmering for 3 more minutes. Place a piece of country bread in the bottom of each bowl, ladle the soup over it and serve immediately.

EDUARDO GIURICI'S BRODETTO ALLA TRIESTINA (TRIESTE-STYLE FISH STEW)

Steps:

• Put the sea bass on a flat surface and cut it crosswise into one-and-one-half-inch pieces. Repeat with the striped bass. Set both fish aside.
• Cut the cleaned squid into one-inch lengths. Set aside.
• Cut each lobster tail crosswise into three or four pieces.
• Heat the oil in a very large casserole with a heavy bottom and, when it is hot and almost smoking, add the onions. Cook, stirring constantly, until the onions are golden brown, about 10 minutes. Take care not to burn.
• Arrange the pieces of sea bass, striped bass and lobster tails in the casserole. Cook, turning the pieces occasionally, over high heat about three minutes. Add the vinegar and stir. Cover and cook about one minute.
• Add the fish stock and bring to the simmer. Cover. Cook about five minutes.
• Add the marinara sauce and cover. Cook three minutes.
• Add the squid, salt and pepper to taste and partly cover. Let cook eight minutes.
• Add the shrimp, clams and mussels and cook five minutes longer, or just until the mussels and clams open. Serve with portions of polenta.