The Not So Deadliest Catch: Cioppino

Southwestern Cioppino by Mama Cupcake

The Discovery Channel's Deadliest Catch has been a show I have watched since its inception. It makes me feel guilty for not really being a seafood lover. I was shocked to hear that Captain Phil died. He was my favorite. That show is one of the realist reality shows I have seen. In fact I would love to sail the salty sea with them one day if I ever put this blog on the road lol.  I could imagine that. Me and my little camera documenting events while a Arctic storm come barreling through. At the very least I could cook for them....cuz lets be honest they really suck at it. I could also give haircuts. And scrape the crud out from underneath their fingers. 

Alas, I am here in rural New York, landlocked. My husband LOVES his seafood. With the days getting shorter and cooler, meals get heartier. I came across a dish called Cioppino.  Its basically catch of the day soup. It can be served over toasted bread or pasta....or serve it by itself.  This dish was invented by Italian immigrants in San Francisco. This is my version. It has a bit of a Southwest flair to it. 

Cioppino by Momma Cupcake

• 1/4 cup EV Olive Oil
• 1 red onion, chopped
• 4 celery stalks, chopped
• 4 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 1 tbs minced garlic
• 1/4 tbs fresh parsley
• 2 tbs fresh cilantro
• 2 tsp dried basil
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tbs thyme
• 1tbs rosemary
• 1 tbs mexican hot chili powder
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 cans of diced tomatoes 
• 1 large can of tomato juice
• 2 jars of clam juice
• 2 limes
• 5 jalapenos chopped
• 1 lb halibut
• 1 lb raw shrimp
• 1 lb mussels 
• 1 lb clams
• 1 lb bay scallops (you can use any seafood)

1. Add olive oil to skillet. 
2. Saute the red onion, celery, and carrots in the skillet on medium high.  
3. Add all the spices and saute until the ingredients become aromatic.
4. Transfer ingredients from skillet to slow cooker.
5. Add tomatoes, tomato juice, clam juice, lime juice, jalepenos to slow cooker and stir till incorporated evenly.
6. Add halibut, shrimp, mussels, clams in slow cooker. Stir till incorporated evenly.
7. Let soup cook for six hours on low. 
8. 5 minutes before serving add scallops. Test to make sure they are done...if not keep them in a little longer.