Seafood en Brodo with Tarragon Pesto

Ingredients

• •4 pounds fish bones
• •4 medium onions
• •4 bulbs fennel
• •4 small carrots
• •½ cup olive oil
• •to taste kosher salt
• •to taste black pepper
• •1 teaspoon saffron threads
• •2 whole leeks
• •4 cloves garlic
• •1 cup dry vermouth
• •8 stems parsley stems
• •4 strips lemon zest
• •2 leaves bay leaves
• •2 teaspoons black peppercorns
• •1 clove garlic
• •1 cup parsley leaves
• •½ cup tarragon leaves
• •¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• •to taste kosher salt
• •to taste black pepper
• •3½ pounds clams or cockles
• •8 fillets fish fillets
• •to taste kosher salt
• •to taste black pepper
• •2 tablespoons olive oil
• •8 slices country-style bread
• •toasted

Cooking Instructions

1. 1.

   Preheat oven to 450°F. Divide bones, onions, fennel, carrots, and 1/4 cup oil between 2 rimmed baking sheets; season with salt and pepper and toss to coat. Roast, tossing halfway through, until vegetables are softened and browned, 60-75 minutes.

   75 min

2. 2.

   Heat saffron and remaining 1/4 cup oil in a large pot over medium-high heat, stirring, until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add leeks and garlic; season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring often, until golden, 8-10 minutes. Add vermouth; bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until slightly reduced, about 3 minutes.

   15 min

3. 3.

   Add roasted bones and vegetables, parsley stems, lemon zest, bay leaves, peppercorns, and 10 cups water to pot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer gently, skimming as needed, until reduced by half, about 1 hour. Strain through a sieve into a clean pot; discard solids. Season with salt.

   60 min

4. 4.

   Pulse garlic, parsley, and tarragon in a food processor until very finely chopped. With motor running, slowly add oil, and process until smooth; season with salt and pepper.

   5 min

5. 5.

   Return broth to a simmer; add shellfish, cover pot, and cook until shellfish open (discard any that do not open), about 5 minutes. Transfer shellfish to a large bowl and add a ladleful of broth; tent with foil. Season fish with salt and pepper; add to broth in pot. Cover; cook fish gently until opaque throughout, about 4 minutes.

   9 min

6. 6.

   Divide fish and shellfish among shallow bowls and ladle broth over. Drizzle stew with oil, top with pesto, and serve with toast.

   5 min

7. 7.

   DO AHEAD: Brodo can be made 3 days ahead. Cover and chill. Pesto can be made 1 day ahead. Press plastic wrap directly on surface and chill.