Venetian Seafood Stew Recipes

SEAFOOD RISOTTO (RISOTTO AI FRUITTI DI MARE)

Steps:

• 1. In a small saucepan, warm the fish or vegetable stock. Keep warm.
• 2. In a large saucepan over moderately low heat, warm the olive oil. Add 1 tablespoon of the butter and the onion, and sauté, stirring occasionally, until tender (there should be no color), about 5 minutes. Add the rice and toast lightly for 1 minute without letting the rice or onion take on any color.
• 3. Add the wine and cook until almost completely absorbed. Add most of the stock (it should come about 1/2 inch above the rice) and bring to a simmer. Cook the risotto, stirring occasionally, until the rice has absorbed some of the liquid, about 8 minutes.
• 4. Add the clams, mussels, squid, scallops, and tomatoes, and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the seafood is cooked and the rice is al dente, about 6 minutes more. As the rice continues to absorb the liquid, add more as needed.
• 5. Remove the risotto from the heat and add the parsley, garlic, brandy, olive oil, Parmigiano-Reggiano, if using, and the remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Stir well to release the starches and make the risotto creamy. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and serve immediately.

VENETIAN SEAFOOD STEW

Steps:

• Place the beans, 3 cups of the stock, salt and bay leaf in a pot over high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, about 30 minutes. Discard the bay leaf.
• Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a heavy, nonreactive pot. Add the mussels and cockles or clams, cover and steam over medium heat until they open, about 10 minutes.
• Remove the mussels and cockles from the pot with a slotted spoon and place in a bowl. Cover. Add the remaining fish stock to the pot along with the fennel, carrots and wine. Bring to a simmer and add the shrimp.
• Cook about 2 minutes, until the shrimp turn pink. Transfer them to a dish and cover. Add the salmon and sea bass fillets to the pot, cook about 2 minutes, turn the pieces of fish over and return the mussels, cockles or clams and shrimp to the pot. Add the scallions and season with salt and pepper. Add the beans; bring to a simmer. Stir in the remaining olive oil and serve in bowls.