Ingredients
- ¼ cup plus 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 medium onions, chopped
- 1 pound ripe tomatoes, chopped
- 3 pounds mussels, scrubbed
- 8 cups water
- 1 pound bones and trimmings from a fresh fish
- 4 small live blue crabs
- Large sprigs of fresh parsley, rosemary, sage and thyme
- 1 dried red chili
- 2 bay leaves
- 8 black peppercorns
- 2 pieces dried orange peel
- 1 large pinch saffron
- 4 star anise
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 ½ tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 ripe medium tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped
- 1 bunch fresh Swiss chard, leaves only, slivered
- 2 ounces fresh goat cheese
- Nutritional Information
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)
828 calories; 38 grams fat; 11 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 17 grams monounsaturated fat; 5 grams polyunsaturated fat; 31 grams carbohydrates; 5 grams dietary fiber; 8 grams sugars; 88 grams protein; 254 milligrams cholesterol; 2199 milligrams sodium
Note: Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available data.
4 servings
Preparation
- Heat the 1/4 cup oil in a 6-quart saucepan. Add the onion, and saute over medium heat until tender. Stir in the unpeeled tomatoes, and cook about 5 minutes, until the mixture is thick.
- Add 2 pounds of the mussels, cover, and cook about 10 minutes, just until they open. Using a slotted spoon, remove the mussels, and set aside.
- Add the water, and bring to a simmer. Add the remaining mussels, fish trimmings, crabs, herbs, chili, bay leaves, peppercorns, orange peel, saffron and star anise. Simmer uncovered, skimming the surface from time to time, for 30 minutes.
- While the stock is cooking, remove the reserved cooked mussels from their shells, discard the shells, and refrigerate the mussels.
- When the stock is done, drain it into a colander over a large bowl, and return the liquid to the saucepan. The cooked seafood and other solids should be discarded.
- Boil down the liquid until it is reduced to 2 1/2 cups. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- In a clean saucepan melt the butter, and cook until it starts to brown. Add the chopped peeled tomatoes, and saute briefly. Add the reduced seafood stock, bring to a simmer, and add the chard. Simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes. Add the shucked mussels, and simmer briefly to reheat them.
- To serve, divide the soup among 4 bowls. Drop a piece of the goat cheese on top of each, and drizzle with the remaining olive oil. Serve at once.
Dining and Cooking