Mediterranean Fish Stew with Garlic Toasts Recipe

Introduction

This Mediterranean fish stew is a vibrant and flavorful dish perfect for seafood lovers. Packed with fresh halibut, clams, and prawns, it’s simmered in a rich tomato and white wine broth, accompanied by crispy garlic toasts for a satisfying meal.

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, sliced
• 1 red chilli, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp tomato purée
• 1 kg tomatoes, roughly chopped
• 200 ml white wine
• 350 ml fish stock
• 3 strips orange zest
• 1 kg skinless halibut fillets, cut into large chunks
• 500 g clams
• 400 g large raw prawns
• Handful flat-leaf parsley, chopped
• 1 large ciabatta loaf, cut into 1 cm slices
• 5 tbsp olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, halved

Instructions

1. Step 1: To make the garlic toasts, drizzle the ciabatta slices with 5 tablespoons of olive oil. Griddle or grill them until golden all over. While still hot, rub each slice with the halved garlic cloves and set aside.
2. Step 2: Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a wide, deep frying pan over gentle heat. Add the sliced onion and cook for 5 minutes until softened.
3. Step 3: Stir in the sliced garlic and finely chopped red chilli; cook for 2 more minutes.
4. Step 4: Add the tomato purée and chopped tomatoes. Increase the heat and cook for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes break down and become pulpy.
5. Step 5: Pour in the white wine and cook for another 10 minutes until most of the wine has evaporated.
6. Step 6: Add the fish stock and orange zest, then bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
7. Step 7: Nestle the halibut chunks into the simmering liquid and cook for 5 minutes.
8. Step 8: Add the clams and prawns. Cook for 5 more minutes, until the fish is cooked through and the clams have opened. Discard any clams that do not open.
9. Step 9: Sprinkle the chopped parsley over the stew and serve immediately with the garlic toasts.

Tips & Variations

• For extra depth, add a splash of Pernod or pastis when cooking the tomatoes for an aniseed flavor.
• Swap halibut for cod or sea bass if preferred; adjust cooking time to avoid overcooking.
• If fresh clams aren’t available, mussels are a great alternative.
• Add a pinch of saffron to the broth for a subtle aromatic note.

Storage

Store any leftover stew in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently on the stove to avoid toughening the seafood. Garlic toasts are best served fresh but can be stored separately at room temperature for a day.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen seafood for this stew?

Yes, frozen halibut, prawns, and clams can be used. Thaw them completely before cooking, and add them slightly later in the cooking process to prevent overcooking.

How do I know if the clams are safe to eat?

Discard any clams that remain closed after cooking, as they may not be safe to eat. Always rinse clams thoroughly before use to remove any sand or grit.

Mediterranean Fish Stew with Garlic Toasts Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.4 from 81 reviews

A flavorful Mediterranean fish stew featuring tender halibut, fresh clams, and succulent prawns simmered in a rich tomato and white wine broth, served with crispy garlic toasts for the perfect accompaniment.

• Author: Bella
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Stew

• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, sliced
• 1 red chilli, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp tomato purée
• 1kg tomatoes, roughly chopped
• 200ml white wine
• 350ml fish stock
• 3 strips orange zest
• 1kg skinless halibut fillets, cut into large chunks
• 500g clams
• 400g large raw prawns
• Handful flat-leaf parsley, chopped

Garlic Toasts

• 1 large ciabatta loaf, cut into 1cm slices
• 5 tbsp olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, halved

Instructions

1. Prepare Garlic Toasts: Drizzle the ciabatta slices with olive oil, then griddle or grill them until golden all over. While the toasts are still hot, rub each slice with halved garlic cloves to infuse flavor. Set aside and keep warm.
2. Sauté Onions: Heat olive oil in a wide, deep frying pan over gentle heat. Add the sliced onion and cook for about 5 minutes until softened and translucent.
3. Add Garlic and Chilli: Stir in the sliced garlic and finely chopped red chilli, cooking for a couple more minutes until fragrant.
4. Incorporate Tomato Base: Add the tomato purée and roughly chopped tomatoes to the pan. Increase the heat and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring often until the tomatoes break down and form a pulpy sauce.
5. Add White Wine: Pour in the white wine and continue to cook for another 10 minutes, allowing most of the alcohol to evaporate and the flavors to concentrate.
6. Simmer with Stock and Orange Zest: Add the fish stock and orange zest strips to the pan. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
7. Cook Halibut: Nestle the halibut chunks into the simmering broth and cook for 5 minutes until they begin to firm up.
8. Add Clams and Prawns: Add clams and prawns to the stew and cook for an additional 5 minutes, until the fish is fully cooked, the clams have opened (discard any unopened ones), and the prawns are pink and opaque.
9. Finish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped flat-leaf parsley over the stew for freshness. Serve the hot stew alongside the warm garlic toasts for a delightful meal.

Notes

• Discard any clams that do not open during cooking to ensure safety.
• Adjust chilli quantity to your preferred spice level.
• Use fresh, high-quality fish and seafood for the best flavor and texture.
• White wine can be substituted with additional fish stock or a splash of lemon juice if preferred.
• Garlic toasts are best served immediately while warm and crisp.

Keywords: Mediterranean fish stew, halibut stew, seafood stew, garlic toasts, fish soup, clams, prawns, healthy seafood recipe