A Variation on Provençal Seafood Stew
David Scott Allen · Fish & Seafood · Main Course · Provencal Recipes · TasteSeafood defines the coastline cuisine in Provence after all this is a place where Marseille proudly boasts about the Bouillabaisse Charter. It is also where you can buy seafood of every description in the Martigues market, and the fishmongers can tell you the names of the ugliest fish in (or out of) the sea.
David says it was fortuitous that he received a bottle of Whispering Angel rosé at the same time as a recipe for Provençal Seafood Stew appeared in the New York Times. The following is the Cocoa & Lavender adaptation of a classic stew or soup from Provence.

Provençal Seafood Stew
This recipe from Cocoa & Lavender was adapted from a recipe by Mark Bittman.
Ingredients
- 1 cup chickpeas canned
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup breadcrumbs fresh
- salt
- ground black pepper
- 1 shallot(s) minced
- 1/4 cup oil-cured olives pitted and sliced
- 2 tbsp capers
- 3 anchovy fillets finely chopped
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- large pinch piment d’Espelette or chilli flakes
- 6 oz spinach
- 2 cups fish stock or shrimp stock
- 5 oz cod sliced
- 8 oz Squid roughly chopped
- 8 oz medium shrimp shelled and deveined
- juice of 1/2 a lemon
Instructions
- Drain and rinse the chickpeas.
- Put 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- When hot, add bread crumbs, sprinkle with salt and pepper and cook, stirring frequently, until they’re crisp and toasted, 5-7 minutes.
- Remove from pan and set aside.
- Add the remaining 2 tablespoons oil to the skillet; increase heat to medium-high.
- When oil is hot, add shallot, olives, capers and anchovies.
- Cook, stirring, until fragrant - a minute or two.
- Add tomato paste and cook, stirring occasionally, until it darkens slightly – about 2 minutes.
- Add the spinach, stirring until it starts to release its water; add the stock and chickpeas.
- When it returns to a gentle boil, stir in the cod, squid, and shrimp.
- Cook until the seafood is just cooked through, 3-5 minutes.
- Squeeze the juice of half a lemon over the stew and stir a couple of times.
- Divide among bowls, sprinkle with bread crumbs and serve.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Legal
All rights reserved. Perfectly Provence articles and other content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten (including translations into other languages) or redistributed without written permission. For usage information, please contact us.
Syndication InformationAffiliate Information
As an Amazon Associate, this website earns from qualifying purchases. Some recipes, posts and pages may have affiliate links. If you purchase via these links, we receive a small commission that does not impact your price. Thank you in advance for supporting our work to maintain Perfectly Provence.
Previous Post
French Fashion: Bobo StyleNext Post
Recipe for Wild Mushroom BisqueRelated Provence Articles
Elegant Saffron Shrimp Curry with Coconut Our New Comfort Food
July 11, 2018
This curry is full of flavour but mild when it comes to heat. Once you start cooking, you can have the savoury saffron shrimp on the table in under 30-minutes.…
Provencal Lamb Chops with Honey and Moroccan Couscous
September 7, 2018
This main course of lamb chops brushed with lavender honey invokes images (and flavours) of lazy summer days in Provence. The roasted lamb is paired with a Moroccan spiced salad that can you can easily prepare in advance.…
Pumpkin and Jerusalem Artichoke Soup with a Dash of Clementine
December 11, 2017
This is the perfect flavour-packed soup to brighten up your mood on a rainy or cold winters day. The fruity and brightly coloured pumpkin combines really well with the earthy taste of the Jerusalem Artichoke, while the hint of clementine juice cuts through it all with it’s pretty acidity.…
Recipe for Tomato Soupe au Pistou
November 13, 2015
Jackie shares her version of a Provencal classic soupe au pistou. In this variation, a heavier dose of tomatoes will give you a summery reminder as winter closes in. According to Jackie, All this tomato growing and preserving couldn’t go by without attempting a few new recipe ideas in the kitchen and in a departure …
No Comment