Best Easy Caciucco Livornese Recipe

Livorno's legendary seafood stew layers five types of fish in a spicy tomato broth over garlic toast. This high protein mediterranean dish is excellent for healthy eating, weight loss, and lower cholesterol.

Cook 65 min Difficulty NORMAL 320 kcal
#mediterranean #high protein
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Ingredients
Main ingredients
  • firm white fish fillets (halibut or cod) 8 oz
  • monkfish 6 oz
  • calamari, cleaned 6 oz
  • large shrimp, peeled and deveined 8 oz
  • mussels, scrubbed and debearded 12 pieces
  • country bread, sliced 4 pieces
  • olive oil 3 tbsp
Seasonings/Sauce
  • yellow onion, diced 1 cup
  • celery, diced 0.5 cup
  • carrot, diced 0.5 cup
  • garlic, minced 6 cloves
  • crushed red pepper flakes 1 tsp
  • dry white wine 0.75 cup
  • canned crushed tomatoes 2 cups
  • fish stock 3 cups
  • fresh parsley, chopped 0.25 cup
  • salt 1 tsp
  • black pepper 0.5 tsp
Nutrition summary
Carbohydrates 26 g 33%
Protein 32 g 40%
Fat 9 g 25%
Serving size 390g
Cooking steps
  1. 1

    Heat 2 tbsp of olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onions, celery, and carrot. Sauté for 6–8 minutes until vegetables are soft and translucent.

  2. 2

    Add garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, then pour in the white wine, scraping any browned bits from the bottom. Let simmer for 3 minutes.

  3. 3

    Stir in crushed tomatoes and fish stock. Bring mixture to a gentle simmer, lower heat to medium-low, and cook uncovered for 20 minutes to develop flavors.

  4. 4

    Add monkfish and calamari to the pot; cover and simmer for 8 minutes. Next, nestle white fish fillets, shrimp, and mussels into the broth. Cover and cook for another 6–8 minutes, just until seafood is cooked through and mussels have opened. Season with salt and black pepper.

  5. 5

    While the stew simmers, brush bread slices with remaining olive oil and toast under the broiler until golden. Rub each with a garlic clove for extra aroma.

  6. 6

    To serve, place garlic toast slices at the bottom of each bowl, ladle the stew over, and finish with chopped fresh parsley.

Personalized Q&A
Q. Which ingredient defines the flavor of Caciucco Livornese?
The core character of Caciucco Livornese comes from layering multiple types of fresh seafood—white fish, monkfish, calamari, shrimp, and mussels—with a robust tomato broth and aromatic vegetables. The seafood mix not only imparts richness and brininess, but when paired with garlic, olive oil, and a kick of red pepper flakes, it delivers the dish's legendary complexity.
Q. What's the best way to avoid overcooking the seafood in this recipe?
The key to perfect texture is meticulous sequencing: monkfish and calamari go in first, since they benefit from gentle simmering. Add the delicate white fish, shrimp, and mussels near the end—just for 6–8 minutes—so each protein cooks only until tender and just done. Use medium-low heat to prevent toughness or dryness, and remove from heat as soon as the mussels open.
Q. How do I ensure the stew has the right consistency and not too watery?
Simmering the tomato, vegetable, and broth base uncovered for at least 20 minutes allows some liquid to reduce and flavors to concentrate before adding seafood. Also, avoid adding extra stock or wine after introducing seafood, as their juices will naturally enrich and thicken the broth.
Q. What are the nutrition stats for this Caciucco Livornese recipe?
Each serving provides 320 kcal, with approximately 32g protein (40% of calories), 26g carbs (33%), and 9g fat (25%). This high protein and moderate carb balance makes it a smart choice for health-conscious eaters and those seeking Mediterranean nutrition.
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