Zuppetta Del Doge Di Venezia Recipes

ZUPPA DI MUSSELS

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the shallots, garlic, salt and pepper and saute for 2 minutes. Add the mussels, a touch of water and cover to steam until the mussels open.
• Meanwhile, in a skillet (no oil) over medium-high heat, add the chorizo, fennel, tomatoes and chile flakes and heat over medium-high heat.
• Cover the pan with a lid to bring up the temperature. Add the white wine and cook uncovered to reduce for 2 minutes, then add the fra diavolo tomato sauce and simmer for 5 minutes.
• Once the mussels open, remove them from the liquid and place them on a plate. Add the mussel liquid to the skillet with the tomato mixture and mix it in to build layers of flavors. Add the mussels and parsley, mix and season to taste.
• In a bowl, plate the mussels and generously cover with the sauce.

ZUPPETTA DEL DOGE DI VENEZIA

Steps:

• To make the broth, heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat and sauté the green onion, garlic and rosemary for 1 minute. Add the tomatoes and sauté 1 minute. Add the clam juice, and simmer for 5 minutes. Purée through a food mill and set aside.
• To prepare the seafood, in the oil in a large skillet over medium heat, sauté the green onion and garlic for 30 seconds, add the scallops and lobster and cook for 3 minutes or until cooked through. Add the wine and the pepper and sizzle a moment; then add the asparagus. Cook for 2 minutes. Add the crab and tomato broth, heat to boiling and simmer for 5 minutes.
• To serve, place the garlic toast in a large shallow soup bowl, top with the scallops and lobster and then place the asparagus tips to one side. Add the broth, sprinkle with parsley and arrange the crab leg at an angle on the rim of the plate.

VENETIAN SEAFOOD SALAD: INSALATA DI FRUTTI DI MARE VENEZIANA

Steps:

• To poach the seafood, you will need a large saucepan fitted with a colander insert. In the bottom of the pan, combine the celery, carrot, onion, bay leaf, lemon juice, salt, and water. Bring to a boil. Place the calamari in the colander and cook in the simmering water for 2 minutes. Remove from the water, transfer to a large bowl, and set aside. Place the scallops in the colander and cook until opaque, about 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the water and transfer to the bowl with the calamari (large sea scallops may be cut in half horizontally after cooking; bay scallops may be left whole). Place the shrimp in the colander and cook until pink, about 3 minutes. Remove from the water. Peel, devein, and cut in half horizontally, adding them to the bowl with the calamari and scallops. Remove the colander from the pan and place the octopus directly in the saucepan, adding more water if necessary to completely cover. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and gently simmer until tender, about 40 to 50 minutes. Transfer the octopus to a bowl and rinse under cold running water until octopus is completely cooled, about 5 minutes. Use your fingers and a small paring knife to remove the outer skin. Discard the hard mouth and head sac. Cut the tentacles and octopus on the bias into 1-inch pieces and add to the bowl with the other seafood. To prepare the salad, toss the julienned celery, carrots, bell peppers, scallion, parsley, basil, and garlic together in a serving bowl. Add the seafood and toss. Add the lemon juice, vinegar, and olive oil and toss well. Season with the salt and generous grindings of pepper. Arrange 1 cup of lettuce on each serving plate. Top with equal portions of the seafood and vegetable mixture, and serve immediately. Variations: 6 to 8 steamed mussels may be added to the basic recipe and tossed with the other seafood. To extend the recipe and add a new texture dimension, 1/2 cup cubed, peeled, cooked Idaho potatoes and/or 1/2 cup cooked or canned (drained and rinsed) cannelini beans may be added to the basic recipe. Although it isn't traditional, I like this salad with a hint of chopped cilantro, about 2 teaspoons.