Entree: Italy – Liguria – Buridda (Hearty Ligurian mixed seafood stew cooked in a tomato and wine broth)
Serving Size: 4
Approximate Time
Prep
15 min
Cook
20 min
Total
35 min
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp (45 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped, approx. 6 oz (170 g)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced, approx. 0.3 oz (9 g)
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) dry white wine
- 2 cups (480 ml) fish stock or water
- 1 can 14 oz (400 g) crushed tomatoes
- 1 tbsp (15 g) tomato paste
- 1 lb (450 g) firm white fish fillets (cod, haddock, or similar), cut into 2-inch pieces
- 8 oz (225 g) squid, cleaned and sliced into rings
- 8 oz (225 g) mussels, scrubbed and debearded
- 8 oz (225 g) clams, scrubbed
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/2 tsp (2.5 g) crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1/3 cup (20 g) fresh parsley, chopped
- 8 slices (about 12 oz / 340 g) crusty country bread or 2 cups (460 g) soft polenta for serving
Instructions
1. Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 6–8 minutes.
2. Add the minced garlic and tomato paste and cook, stirring, for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Pour in the white wine and simmer for 2 minutes to reduce slightly, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
4. Add the crushed tomatoes, fish stock, bay leaves, and crushed red pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook 10 minutes to meld flavors; season with salt and pepper.
5. Add the firm white fish pieces and squid rings to the simmering broth. Cook gently 4–6 minutes until the fish is almost opaque and the squid is tender.
6. Stir in the mussels and clams, cover the pot, and cook 4–6 minutes until the shellfish open. Discard any shellfish that do not open.
7. Taste and adjust seasoning. Remove bay leaves, fold in chopped parsley, and turn off the heat.
8. Serve the buridda immediately in deep bowls with plenty of broth and crusty bread for dipping or spoon over polenta. Garnish with extra parsley and a drizzle of olive oil if desired.
