Description
A vibrant and hearty Mediterranean fish stew loaded with halibut, clams, and prawns in a rich tomato and white wine broth, served with flavorful garlic toasts. This dish combines fresh seafood with aromatic herbs and spices for a comforting and elegant meal perfect for sharing.
Ingredients
Scale
Stew 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
Garlic Toasts
- 1 large ciabatta loaf, cut into 1 cm slices
- 5 tbsp olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, halved
Instructions
- Prepare the Garlic Toasts: Drizzle the ciabatta slices with olive oil. Griddle or grill the bread slices until they are golden all over. While still hot, rub the toasted bread with the halved garlic cloves to infuse them with garlic flavor. Set aside.
- Cook the Base: 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. Stir in the sliced garlic and finely chopped red chilli and cook for an additional 2 minutes, allowing the flavors to develop.
- Add Tomatoes and Wine: Stir in 2 tablespoons of tomato purée and the roughly chopped tomatoes. Increase the heat and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally until the tomatoes break down and become pulpy. Pour in 200 ml white wine and cook for another 10 minutes until most of the wine has evaporated.
- Simmer with Stock and Orange Zest: Add 350 ml fish stock and 3 strips of orange zest to the pan. Heat the mixture until it reaches a gentle simmer.
- Cook the Seafood: Nestle the chunks of halibut into the simmering stew and cook for 5 minutes. Then add the clams and prawns, cooking for another 5 minutes until the fish is cooked through and the clams have opened. Discard any clams that remain closed.
- Finish and Serve: Sprinkle the chopped flat-leaf parsley over the stew. Serve immediately with the prepared garlic toasts alongside for dipping.
Notes
- Use fresh seafood for the best flavor and texture.
- Discard any clams that do not open during cooking to avoid food safety risks.
- If you prefer less heat, reduce or omit the red chilli.
- The orange zest adds a subtle citrus note—if unavailable, lemon zest can be substituted.
- Grilling or griddling the bread adds a smoky flavor, but you can also toast the garlic bread in the oven if preferred.
- This stew is delicious served with a crisp green salad or crusty bread for soaking up the broth.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keywords: Mediterranean fish stew, halibut stew, seafood stew, garlic toasts, fish and shellfish recipe, easy fish stew
