Cioppino

Ingredients and Weight:

• 2 pounds of wild-caught shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 pound of crab meat
• 8 oz of mussels, cleaned and debearded
• 8 oz of lobster meat, cooked and cut into chunks
• 1 can (8 oz) crabmeat in tomato sauce (for flavor)
• 2 cups of cherry tomatoes, halved
• 2 cups of white wine
• 2 tablespoons of dried oregano
• 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh basil
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Freshly cooked white rice for serving (optional)

Preparation Time:

• Preparation Time: 45 minutes
• Cooking Time: 45 minutes

Difficulty Level: Level 3 (Moderate difficulty)

Preparation Method Steps:

1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil on medium-high heat.
2. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and cook until the onion is softened.
3. Add the cherry tomatoes and cook for a few minutes more.
4. Pour in the white wine and let it simmer for a few minutes.
5. Add the dried oregano and fresh basil, and season with salt and pepper.
6. Let the sauce come to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer for 10 minutes.
7. Add the seafood in order of cooking time (start with shrimp, then add the crab meat, mussels, and lobster).
8. Cover the pot and let the seafood cook through, about 5-7 minutes. The mussels should open up, indicating they are done.
9. Serve over freshly cooked white rice, if desired.

Nutritional Information: (Per serving, assuming 8 servings total)

• Calories: approximately 400-500 calories per serving (depending on added fats/oil used during cooking)
• Protein: 25-35 grams
• Fat: 15-25 grams (depending on cooking methods)
• Carbohydrates: 20-30 grams (including rice)

Dish Characteristics:

• A traditional Italian-American seafood stew, rich in flavor and full of seafood goodness.
• The dish is hearty yet light on the palate, with a rich tomato-wine base that complements the seafoods perfectly.
• It's a great dish for a special occasion or a cold winter's night.

User Comments:

• "The flavors were incredible! The dish was a hit with my family."
• "I loved the balance of flavors in this dish. The tomato-wine base was perfect."
• "This is a great dish for a special occasion. It's hearty yet elegant."

Special Precautions and Tips:

• Use fresh seafood for best results. If buying frozen, make sure it's been properly stored and is at room temperature before cooking.
• This dish is quite rich, so it may not be suitable for everyone. Adjust the seasoning according to your taste preference.
• Depending on the freshness of your seafood, you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.