Hearty Sicilian Halibut Fish Stew Recipe

There’s something truly comforting about a hearty fish stew, especially one that brings the flavors of Sicily to your table.

This Sicilian Halibut Fish Stew is a delightful medley of fresh vegetables and succulent halibut. It creates a wholesome dish that’s perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a date night at home, or a hearty and warming meal for the family.

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Sicilian Halibut Fish Stew is a great, unexpected way to bring the Mediterranean to your table.

How to Make Sicilian Halibut Fish Stew

This stew, or fish soup, is fairly quick and easy to make, too. It takes a bit of prep time, about 10-15 minutes, and about 40 minutes of cook time. It can be on the table in less than an hour, and makes 4 hearty portions.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 medium red onion, diced
• 2 large celery stalks, diced
• 2 medium carrots, diced
• 1 medium zucchini, diced
• 2-3 garlic cloves, minced
• Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
• ½ cup dry white wine
• 1 28-oz. can chopped tomatoes, with liquid
• 2 cups fish stock. You can also use vegetable stock.
• 1 lb. halibut fillets, skin removed and roughly chopped
• 1 cup fresh green beans, trimmed and quartered
• 1 large organic lemon, juice and zest
• ¾ cup fresh parsley, chopped
• ¼ cup pine nuts

Instructions:

1. Sauté the Aromatics:

• Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat.
• Add onion, celery, carrots, zucchini, and garlic.
• Season with salt and black pepper, then cook until the veggies are soft and fragrant (about 4-5 minutes).

2. Deglaze with Wine:

• Add dry white wine to the pot.
• Gently scrape any brown bits off the bottom with a wooden spoon.
• Stir to combine and simmer for 2-3 minutes.

3. Simmer the Stew:

• Add chopped tomatoes and fish stock to the pot.
• Bring to a rapid boil, then reduce heat to medium low.
• Cover and gently simmer, stirring occasionally, for 20-25 minutes.

4. Add Halibut and Green Beans:

• Uncover and add chopped halibut and fresh green beans.
• Cover and continue cooking until the fish is flaky and the green beans are slightly tender (approximately 8-10 minutes).

5. Final Touches:

• Add lemon zest and juice to the stew.
• Stir in fresh parsley.
• Remove from heat and season with additional salt and black pepper if desired.

6. Serve and Enjoy:

• To serve, top each portion with a tablespoon of pine nuts for a delightful crunch.
• This Sicilian Halibut Fish Stew is best enjoyed hot, perhaps with a slice of crusty bread to soak up the flavorful broth.

Taste the stew before serving and adjust the seasoning if needed. The balance of salt, pepper, and acidity from the lemon can be adjusted to suit your preferences. Serve with lemon wedges so your guests can adjust it to their liking, as well.

Feel free to customize the recipe by adding other seafood or adjusting the vegetable quantities based on personal preferences. Experiment with additional garnishes such as chopped fresh basil, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.

Halibut Fish Soup Tips and Notes

Fresh Ingredients

Opt for fresh, high-quality ingredients, especially when it comes to the fish. Fresh halibut will contribute to the overall taste and texture of the stew.

Want a Milder Soup?

If you want a milder fish soup, try using vegetable stock. Fish stock can sometimes be a little overwhelming. Or mix them half vegetable and half fish stock.

Wine Selection

Use a dry white wine that you enjoy drinking, as its flavors will infuse into the stew. This halibut stew is a great way to use up that leftover wine before it goes bad, too.

Serve with Bread

 A crusty loaf of bread is an excellent accompaniment to soak up the flavorful broth. It complements the stew and makes for a satisfying meal. Try sourdough or a great ciabatta.

Pine Nut Toasting

For added depth of flavor, consider toasting the pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat until golden brown before sprinkling them over the stew.

Make-Ahead Option

The stew can be prepared in advance and reheated when ready to serve. This makes it a convenient option for busy days or entertaining guests.

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The stew tends to develop even richer flavors the next day. It’ll keep for 2-3 days.

Conclusion

Indulge in the vibrant flavors of Sicily with this Halibut Fish Stew. The combination of fresh vegetables, succulent halibut, and zesty lemon creates a symphony of tastes that will transport you to the sun-soaked shores of the Mediterranean. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or simply craving a wholesome meal, this recipe is a winner.

Yield: 4

Hearty Sicilian Halibut Fish Stew Recipe

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A delicious hearty halibut fish stew that's great for a weeknight dinner or a date night at home. It can be on the table in less than an hour.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes

Total Time 1 hour

Ingredients

• 2 T. extra virgin olive oil
• 1 medium red onion, diced
• 2 large celery stalks, diced
• 2 medium carrots, diced
• 1 medium zucchini, diced
• 2-3 garlic cloves, minced
• Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
• ½ c. dry white wine
• 1 28-oz. can chopped tomatoes, with liquid
• 2 c. fish stock
• 1 lb. halibut filets, skin removed and roughly chopped
• 1 c. fresh green beans, trimmed and quartered
• 1 large organic lemon, juice and zest
• ¾ c. fresh parsley, chopped
• ¼ c. pine nuts

Instructions

1. Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, carrots, zucchini, and garlic. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the veggies become soft, approximately 4-5 minutes.
2. Add the wine to the veggies and gently scrape any brown bits off the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon. Stir to combine and simmer for approximately 2-3 minutes.
3. Add the chopped tomatoes and fish stock and bring to a rapid boil, then reduce heat to medium low. Cover and let the fish stew gently simmer, stirring occasionally, for 20-25 minutes.
4. Uncover and add the chopped halibut and fresh green beans. Cover and continue cooking until the fish is flakey and the green beans are slightly tender, approximately 8-10 minutes.
5. Add lemon zest and juice and stir in fresh parsley to the halibut soup. Remove from heat and season with additional salt and black pepper, if desired.
      
   To serve, top each serving with a tablespoon of pine nuts. Enjoy!

Notes

This Sicilian Halibut Fish Stew is wonderful served with crusty bread like sourdough or ciabatta.

Try toasting the pine nuts in a dry skillet for a deeper flavor.

Consider serving with a drizzle of good quality olive oil and a little sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.