I am now officially all set to begin my dietetic internship. In case you are curious about my journey to becoming a Registered Dietitian, you can read about it here. Let's see...what did I do? I collected my immunization records from my mom. I only had 2 things remaining: 1) Tetanus shot (my arm was sore for days) and 2) PPD skin test - miraculously, my TB test came out negative..well barely. I was certain that it would be positive, as I received a BCG booster shot in Korea (a.k.a the alien mark), in which case I would've had to get a chest x-ray done. No complaints here ;). I completed a drug test, and it turns out I'm not doing drugs. Good to know. Textbooks and pocket guidebooks have been borrowed or purchased. The only thing left to do now is pay my tuition and go shopping for some work-appropriate clothes. Having been a student for the past 3 years, all I have are t-shirts and jeans. Oh how I'll miss them...
It felt so great to check off everything on the list that it called for a celebration. And yes, I find every reason to throw mini-parties. You should too. The Hungryman wanted to do a queso and margharita night. Thanks to my sister and brother-in-law, he's been dreaming of queso lately. You see, my brother-in-law works at a Mexican restaurant (the best one there is..I may be a bit biased ;)), and at least twice a week he brings home queso, tortilla chips, quesadillas... We get to participate every time we visit them in Houston. Let's just say it leaves a lasting impression on The Hungryman. I don't condone it, but I can't stop the man from eating when he enjoys it so much.
As for me, I had something else in mind. Seafood Cioppino! Now, I've never made this before, but when I saw this recipe in Cooking Light, I had confidence that I could do it! A lot of times, dishes with fancy names aren't too terribly difficult to make if you have the right tools and great ingredients. Take my Almond Blueberry Biscotti, for instance. Nothing to it.
I have to be honest. I shied away from this dish for quite some time not only bc I believed it to be difficult to make but also bc of the cost and the hassle of obtaining various types of seafood. But I should've known, I could count on good ol' Costo to come to my rescue. They sell a seafood medley that made my life so much simpler. Scrubbing the shells was the only real "work" I had to do. All you need is a wide, heavy dutch oven, and you've got a one pot wonder that comes together in under 40 minutes. The only change I made to the recipe was adding the seafood directly into the pot rather than cooking them separately in a skillet and then adding them. I didn't want to commit the crime of overcooking. Actually, I didn't want to wash another item if I could help it :).
The Hungryman and I really enjoyed this meal. For me, chewing gnawing on the sourdough bread soaked in all that deep, rich flavor was the highlight of this whole experience. Don't be intimidated by the name. Seafood Cioppino, you're no tough guy around here anymore. Make this and you'll know what I mean ;).
Ingredients
- 1 Tbs extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cups vertically sliced onion
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 green bell pepper diced (¼" pieces)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 cup dry white wine
- ½ cup low-sodium vegetable broth
- ½ cup clam juice
- 1 35 oz can diced tomatoes w/ basil
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 Ibs mixed seafood I used mussels, shrimp, scallops
- _____
- Chopped basil
- Fresh lemon juice
- Sourdough or Foccacia
Instructions
- Heat a Dutch oven over med-high heat. Add 1 Tbs oil. Add onion; sauté 1 min. Add garlic, bell pepper, oregano, red pepper flakes, bay leaves; reduce heat to medium. Cover and cook 8 min, stirring occasionally. Add wine, tomatoes, broth, clam juice. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, 20-25 min.
- Scrub mussels (or clams), add to stew and simmer covered. Once mussels open up, transfer with tongs or slotted spoon to empty dish (discard any clams unopened after 10 min). Season other seafood, add to stew, and simmer covered until cooked through, approx 5 min. Discard bay leaves and return mussels back to pot.
- Stir in basil and lemon juice. Serve with sourdough or foccacia.
Nutrition
Jenn says
I picked this as one of my features from the Pin It Monday Hop! Stop by and get your button! 🙂 https://endlesslyinspired.com/2013/08/24/pin-it-monday-hop-21-features/
Jenn
Min says
Thank you so much, Jenn!
Judy says
I love seafood and what a great photography MJ! We are featuring this post in our Top 10 Post Features tomorrow 🙂 See you.
Judy
pursuitoffunctionalhome.com
Nami | Just One Cookbook says
Hi Min! I loooove Cioppino and I also shared the recipe I made a while ago on my blog too! I need to try this recipe next time. It's always fun to try different recipes of favorite food. Looks so delicious!!
Jenn says
This looks so amazing! I found you through the Pin It Monday hop, and I pinned it! Thanks for linking up!!
Lyuba@willcookforsmiles says
Wow, that looks like heaven for a seafood lover like me!!
Jamie @ Love Bakes Good Cakes says
Congratulations - you are well on your way 🙂 This looks great, Min! I've shared this on Facebook! Thanks for linking up to All My Bloggy Friends this week - I hope you have a fantastic week! 🙂
Min says
Thank you, Jamie! Hope you have a wonderful week as well 😉
Ellie@Fit for the soul says
Congratulations Unnie!!!! 😀 Great job for your perseverance and diligence. And wahhhhh please feed me this dish! It looks like one of my favorite dishes at this Mexican restaurant--a dish with seafood and saffron, and Olive Garden has something similar too. Droooool~I don't get it often though because it's somewhat pricey. But good thing you had Costco for this recipe, and keep up the good work with your photos. 😉
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
Nami from Just One Cookbook did cioppino too. It must be a sign because both of you have photos to die for.
JB & Renee says
Seafood cioppino with sourdough is one of the best things ever. Love it! 🙂
Julie @ This Gal Cooks says
It's so awesome that you are becoming a RD! Congratulations.
This meal looks so good. Lovely photos, Min! Thanks for sharing at Marvelous Mondays. Pinned and sharing on FB and Twitter!
Kevin says
I have seen recipes with pasta in this also; using 2 to 3" spaghetti or angel hair noodles.
This is a similar dish to Paella, without the expense of saffron!
Great choice for a one pot, under 60 minute meal!
Best wishes on your career...
Min says
Hi Kevin! I've never seen it with pasta before, but I can see how that would work! Thank you for stopping by and for your well wishes! 🙂
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious says
Congrats on the internship! And this cioppino - amazing! I think I need to come over for dinner.
Min says
Thank you, Chung-Ah ssi! I'm super excited to start..hope this feeling is sustainable ;). And I would love to go over and have dinner with you any day! You're such an amazing cook!
Suzanne says
Wow this looks like an awesome dish that I know my hubby would love. I love those one pot wonders for sure. Thanks for sharing and making me feel like I could pull it off too.
Min says
Thank you, Suzanne! Yes, I kinda wowed my husband with this one, and I didn't even break a sweat ;). Score! I have full confidence that you will do the same.
steve says
cioppino uses RED wine, innit?
Min says
Hi Steve! I'm no expert in cioppino since this is my first time making, but I believe you can use both. The recipes I've seen, including this one, calls for dry white wine. I'm planning on trying it with red wine next time to see which one I prefer.
Kari @ bite-sized thoughts says
Yay, it's so exciting that you have everything organised! I think that is definitely cause for celebration - and this dish is amazingly beautiful.
Min says
It definitely feels great! 😉 Now, it's just a waiting game haha. I just found out that my clinical rotations won't be until later bc I didn't get the flu shot last year...darn...One of the sites I'm really really looking forward to is the Mother's Milk bank. Perhaps I'll start there? wishful thinking...
CarriesExpKtchn says
My mother in law just loves Cioppino. I'm sure she'll be making this one asap. It's gorgeous!Thanks for sharing on this weeks' Seafood Frenzy Friday. Have a great weekend Min. https://carriesexperimentalkitchen.blogspot.com/2013/08/seafood-frenzy-friday-57.html
Min says
Thank you so much for hosting! I'm always more than happy to participate ;). I hope you have a blessed Sunday.
Melanie @ Just Some Salt and Pepper says
Yay for health profession students! I'm currently getting a combined BSN/MSN in nursing. I think this sounds like a great dinner for my pop's birthday next month. He'd love it!
Min says
Ooh! It's so nice to meet you! How much longer do you have left in the program? Best of luck to you! I couldn't believe how simple this dish was to make! I think your dad will love it 😉
Lisa@ Cooking with Curls says
We just got a Costco in eastern Iowa, so I will have to go look for that seafood medley! I have had horrible luck with seafood in the past, but this might just do the trick. Congratulations on your internship, that is so exciting!!! 🙂
Min says
Ooh! I'm so excited for you, Lisa! They have everything to make your life simplerJust whatever you do, do not go there on a weekend, esp Sunday..I learned this the hard way :(.
Hope you give this recipe a try and thank you!
dixya| food, pleasure, and health says
Im so excited for your internship journey 🙂 this cioppino looks delicious, for similar reason I hardly give seafood any chance.
Min says
I know, me too me too! Where did you do your internship? Dallas? I really need to eat more seafood..other than salmon that is 😉