Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 2 (16-ounce) cans chopped tomatoes, undrained
  • 2 cups fish or chicken stock (page 91), or water
  • Dash of Tabasco sauce
  • 1 cup hearty red wine
  • 3 tablespoons fresh basil, cut into chiffonade
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1/2 pound shrimp, raw, unpeeled
  • 1 small cooked crab, cut into serving pieces
  • 6 or 8 small clams
  • 1/2 pound red snapper, halibut, or other white fish
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Method

  • Place a large saute pan over medium-high heat and add the oil.
  • Add the onion and saute for about 5 minutes, until softened.
  • Add the garlic and saute for 2 minutes.
  • Transfer the contents of the pan to the slow cooker and add the tomatoes, stock, Tabasco sauce, wine, basil, and bay leaf.
  • Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours (though it could be left on for 8 hours if necessary), until the stock is rich and hot, ready for the fish.
  • About 30 minutes before serving, add the shrimp, crab, clams, and fish.
  • Cover and cook on high for about 30 minutes, until the fish turns opaque.
  • Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve garnished with a sprinkling of the parsley.