Shrimp Stew à la Marseille

Taste the Mediterranean: An Engaging Shrimp Stew Experience

Preparation Time

Get ready for an adventure that will take about 30 minutes from start to finish, perfect for a delightful weeknight dinner or a weekend gathering.

Ingredient List

• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• Salt to taste
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika
• Pinch of cayenne pepper
• 3 tablespoons high-quality extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 medium fennel bulb, cored and diced
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• Three strips of orange zest, each 1 inch long
• Pinch of ground cloves
• 1/2 cup dry white wine of your choice
• 1 cup bottled clam juice
• 1 cup canned whole tomatoes, finely chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon crumbled saffron threads
• Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
• 1.5 pounds jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined
• Toasted baguette slices for serving

Cooking Instructions

Begin by mashing two cloves of chopped garlic with a pinch of salt in a mixing bowl. Add the mayonnaise, lemon juice, paprika, and cayenne pepper to the bowl, whisking everything together until it forms a smooth paste. Incorporate one tablespoon of olive oil and set this delightful garlic mayonnaise, known as rouille, aside.

Next, grab a large, deep skillet, and heat the remaining two tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Toss in the diced fennel and onion, stirring occasionally, until they soften—about seven minutes. Now, add the minced garlic, orange zest, and ground cloves to the skillet. Sauté for one minute, allowing the aromas to flourish.

It’s time to pour in the dry white wine. Allow it to simmer until it nearly evaporates, which should take around five minutes. Then, add the clam juice, chopped tomatoes, crumbled saffron, and an additional cup of water, bringing the mixture to a rolling boil. Season generously with salt and freshly cracked pepper, and let it simmer away as the sauce thickens, reducing by half over the next ten minutes.

Finally, add the shrimp to the skillet and cover it. Cook over moderate heat, turning them once, until they turn pink and opaque, about five minutes. Discard the orange zest to leave behind a robust flavor. Serve the shrimp stew alongside slices of toasted baguette spread with the prepared rouille. Enjoy your delightful Mediterranean culinary journey!

Recommended Pairing

Enhance your dining experience with an icy glass of crisp Provençal rosé, which pairs beautifully with the vibrant flavors of this shrimp stew.