California Cioppino

Ingredients

• 2 freshly cooked whole crabs, approximately 1 1/2 to 2 pounds each
• 24 clams, well scrubbed
• 3 cups dry white wine
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 large cloves garlic, minced
• 1 green bell pepper, coarsely chopped
• 2 pounds fresh tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped
• 3 ounces tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil, or 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh basil
• 2 pounds fresh white fish such as sea bass, rock cod, halibut or ling cod, cut into large pieces
• 3/4 pound scallops
• 3/4 pound raw shrimp, peeled and de-veined
• Chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

1. Remove the legs and claws from the crab and break the body in half, reserving as much of the soft, mustard-colored center (crab butter) as possible. Set crab pieces aside and force the crab butter through a sieve into a small bowl. Set aside.
2. Place the clams in a pan, add 1 cup of wine, and steam, covered, over medium heat for 4 to 6 minutes or until clams open. Remove clams, discarding any that do not open. Strain the stock through cheesecloth and reserve.
3. In an 8 quart heatproof casserole or a kettle, heat the oil. Add the onion, garlic and bell pepper and sauté over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for approximately 5 minutes or until vegetables start to soften.
4. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, remaining 2 cups of wine, pepper, herbs and clam stock. Partially cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
5. Add the fish, scallops, shrimp, crab and crab butter. Simmer for approximately 5 minutes or until all seafood is cooked. Do not stir.
6. Add the clams and heat for a scant 1 minute.
7. Sprinkle with parsley and serve immediately from the cooking pot.