This is a good seafood dish for those of you who live inland and only have access to substandard or frozen fish – like me.

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Sicilian-Style Fish Stew is a delicious and hearty dish with bold Mediterranean flavors. It's typically made with a variety of seafood, tomatoes, capers, and olives, creating a rich and aromatic stew. The key to a good Sicilian fish stew is the combination of fresh seafood with classic Sicilian ingredients. Here's a detailed recipe to make this dish at home, including instructions for preparing and cooking the stew.

### Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 fennel bulb, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- 1 cup dry white wine
- 1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 4 cups fish stock or chicken stock
- 2 tablespoons capers
- 1/2 cup pitted green olives, sliced
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 pound firm white fish (such as cod, halibut, or sea bass), cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1/2 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/2 pound mussels or clams, cleaned and debearded
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Lemon wedges, for serving

### Instructions:

#### Prepare the Base:
1. **Sauté the Vegetables**:
   In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic, red bell pepper, and sliced fennel, and continue to sauté for another 5 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.

2. **Add Seasonings**:
   Stir in the dried oregano and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

#### Build the Stew:
1. **Deglaze with Wine**:
   Pour in the dry white wine and use a spoon to scrape up any bits from the bottom of the pot. Let it simmer for a few minutes to reduce slightly.

2. **Add Tomatoes and Stock**:
   Add the diced tomatoes (with juice) and fish stock. Stir to combine, then bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

#### Add the Seafood:
1. **Add the Fish**:
   Add the fish pieces to the simmering stew and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until they start to turn opaque.

2. **Add the Shellfish**:
   Add the shrimp, mussels, and clams. Cover the pot and let it cook for another 5-10 minutes, or until the shellfish open and the shrimp turn pink. Discard any mussels or clams that do not open.

#### Finish and Serve:
1. **Add Capers, Olives, and Herbs**:
   Stir in the capers, sliced olives, fresh basil, and fresh parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper as needed.

2. **Serve the Stew**:
   Serve the Sicilian-Style Fish Stew in bowls with a drizzle of olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice. You can also serve with crusty bread to soak up the flavorful broth.

This Sicilian-Style Fish Stew is a hearty and comforting dish with a perfect balance of flavors from the seafood, tomatoes, olives, and herbs. It makes a wonderful main course for dinner and can be customized with different types of seafood. If you'd like more Mediterranean-style recipes or additional stew suggestions, I can share other options. Enjoy your fish stew!