Mediterranean Seafood Stew – 4 Servings

¼ pound small new potatoes, skin on, whole 2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced 1 large onion, peeled, cut into quarters, with root ends intact (to hold it together) 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes, juices drained ½ can (6 ounces) salt-free tomato paste ½ cup clam juice or fish stock ½ cup dry white wine or vermouth ½ teaspoon saffron ½ teaspoon dried basil 1 bay leaf ¼ teaspoon fennel seeds ¼ teaspoon peppercorns 3 whole sprigs of fresh parsley (stems and leaves) ½ small fennel bulb (4 ounces), top off, cut into ½" slices 10 mussels, scrubbed and de-bearded if necessary 8 jumbo shrimp, peeled, deveined, left whole with tail on 6 sea scallops, cut in half horizontally ½ pound white fish, such as scrod, cut into 2-inch pieces ¼ cup chopped parsley leaves grated zest of one orange

Nutritional information per serving: Calories 407 (16% from fat) • carb. 32g • pro. 48g • fat 7g • sat. fat 1g • chol. 187mg • sod. 582mg • calc. 155mg • fiber 5g

lace potatoes, garlic, onion and olive oil in ceramic pot of the Cuisinart® Slow Cooker; stir gently to combine. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, clam juice, wine, saffron and dried basil. Place bay leaf, fennel seeds, peppercorns and parsley sprigs in a 5 x 5-inch square of cheesecloth (or coffee filter) and tie securely with kitchen twine. Add to pot. Cover and press the on/off button to turn the unit on. Set time for 6 hours and press Simmer; the slow cooker will automatically switch to Warm when cooking time has elapsed. At this point the sauce can rest on Warm until one hour before serving. Raise heat to High, then add fennel slices; cook another 30 to 40 minutes. Add mussels, shrimp, scallops and fish. Continue to cook about 10 to 15 minutes, or until mussels are open, shrimp are pink, scallops and fish are opaque. Garnish with chopped parsley and orange zest. Ladle stew directly from the pot into warm soup bowls. Serve with crusty bread on the side.