There are probably hundreds or thousands of variations of this easy Mediterranean fish stew. In San Francisco, they add shellfish and clam juice or fish stock and call it cioppino. Sicilians make it with sea bass or orange roughy. The Greeks use dill and potatoes, while the Portuguese add sausage.
This particular version has tomatoes, potatoes, and some citrus zest. I adapted it from a New York Times recipe (which made a big pot of stew, enough for 6 people, and included the dreaded anchovies). I also threw in some mushrooms (mostly because I wanted to use them up). There’s no shellfish, and I made it with cod (which is more sustainable and budget-friendly than orange roughy or sea bass). I also swapped the chopped tomatoes they called for with tomato puree (that’s what I had, and it cooks faster).
There are two nice things about this recipe. The first is that it’s super-easy to make. Just make the stew, and then add the fish at the very end. Don’t overcook it!
The second is that you can make it in advance up to the point where you add the fish. When you’re ready to eat, reheat the stew and add the fish once it’s hot.
Easy Mediterranean Fish Stew
Easy Mediterranean fish stew with potatoes and tomatoes.

Notes
*Note: you can tie the bouquet garni together with string, put it in cheesecloth, or place it in a tea ball.
Ingredients
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 T olive oil
- 1/2 onion, chopped
- 1 carrot, peeled and cut in chunks
- 2 large mushrooms, sliced, about 2/3 C
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 C pureed tomatoes
- 2 C water (or a combination of water, white wine, and fish stock)
- 1 medium potato, cut in chunks
- 1 bouquet garni (bay leaf, 1/2 inch orange zest strip, 1 sprig fresh thyme or 1/2 tsp dried, pinch red pepper flakes)*
- salt and pepper to taste
- 3/4 pound cod, cut into large chunks
Instructions
- Mash up the garlic with a pinch of salt. You want it to turn into a paste.
- Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan or Dutch oven.
- Add the onion, carrot, mushrooms, and salt and cook on medium-low for five minutes until the vegetables soften.
- Add the mashed garlic and cook for a minute.
- Add the tomato puree and cook 10 minutes. Add the water or wine , the potatoes, more salt and pepper to taste, the bouquet garni and bring to a simmer.
- Reduce the heat to low so the mixture just barely bubbles, and let that cook for 20-25 minutes. Taste it and adjust the seasonings.
- Remove the garni/tea ball. Now add the fish and simmer 5 minutes.
Substitutions and Variations for Easy Mediterranean Fish Stew
- Replace the water with fish stock, clam juice, or white wine
- Add some capers
- Double the garlic and add some pepperoncini (Italian hot peppers)
- Vary the fish by adding some seafood such as clams, mussels, or shrimp
- Make it Portuguese style with chicken broth (as the liquid), green bell pepper, potatoes, and sausage
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