4 lobster tails or 3 whole lobsters, steamed
2 dozen cherrystone clams in shells
1 dozen mussels in shells
1 pound white fish fillet (cod, haddock or halibut)
2 pounds jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 ½ pounds large sea scallops
½ cup olive oil
1 cup onion, diced
½ cup celery, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 -1 lb 12 oz cans of diced tomatoes with juice
1 bay leaf
¼ t. saffron threads
1 ½ t salt
1 t pepper
2 quarts of store-bought fish or chicken stock
Directions:
Prepare seafood. Remove cooked lobster meat from shells and cut into 2-inch pieces and set aside. Scrub shells of clams and mussels to remove any dirt. Cut fish fillet into 2-inch pieces and set aside. Peel and devein shrimp. Rinse scallops. Sauté the onion, celery and garlic in olive oil in a large stock pot over medium high heat. Add tomatoes, bay leaf, saffron and salt and pepper. Add stock and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered for 20 minutes or until some of the liquid is reduced to concentrate the flavor. Add seafood, cover and simmer for 5-10 minutes until fish and scallops are opaque, shrimp is pink, and the mussels and clams are opened wide. Serve with crusty garlic toast, Caesar salad and a crisp white wine, like Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay. Serves 6.