Ingredients

2lb Clams or Mussels (scrubbed and de-beared)

2lb Large Prawns (peeled and deveined)

2 medium Lobsters or 2 medium Crabs (cut into pieces)

2lb Red Snapper (cleaned and cut into pieces)

12oz Fresh Tomatoes (chopped)

1 tin Chopped Plum Tomatoes

2 Onions (chopped)

6 Spring Onions (chopped)

3 Celery sticks (chopped)

1 Green Pepper (chopped)

250mls Red wine

250mls Chicken stock

125mls Olive oil

1 teaspoon Fennel Seed (crushed)

3 cloves Garlic (crushed)

Saffron (good pinch)

1 Bay leaf

Handful Parsley (finely chopped)

1 teaspoon fresh Thyme (chopped)

1 teaspoon Anchovy Paste (optional)

Method

Heat the olive oil in a large pot and add the garlic, onions, celery and green pepper. Cook for 5 minutes.

Add the thyme, bay leaf, tomatoes, wine, fennel seed, saffron and parsley,  season with salt and pepper. Cook  for 5 minutes.

Add mussels, clams, lobster, crab pieces, prawns and red snapper, simmer for 5 minutes.

Cooks Comments and Tips

Italian cioppino is a recipe for celebrations, but for every day meals you can replace the lobster and crab with halibut or cod fillet.

Remember to discard any mussels or clams that don't open.