SEAFOOD STEW WITH CHICKEN AND ANDOUILLE

So.... This started out as paella, but I wanted to eliminate the rice, so it turned into a "stew". Also note that I was drinking white wine while cooking AND with dinner! I typed this just after dinner...... Therefore, it may not be exact!! :)

2-4 tablespoons olive oil
1 red bell pepper, 1/2"slices
1/2 yellow bell pepper, 1/2" slices
1/2 poblano pepper, 1/2" slices
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or 4 chicken thighs)
8 ounces andouille sausage
1 large sweet, yellow onion, diced
8-10 cloves garlic, minced
1- 15 ounce can diced tomato
8 ounces clam juice
3 cups chicken broth
2 tablespoons smoked paprika
20 strands saffron
2 cans garbanzo beans
1 lb littleneck clams, soaked and shells scrubbed
8 oz fresh green beans, trimmed, cleaned and cut into 2" pieces
8oz cod, cut into 2" pieces
1 lb cleaned deveined shrimp
Lemon slices, chopped cilantro and crusty bread, optional


Warm olive oil in a wide bottomed pan or stock pot over medium heat. Add peppers and sautée until browned. Remove to a plate and set aside.

In same pan (add more olive oil if dry) cook chicken and brown both sides, remove from pan. Next, brown andoullie until cooked. Add chopped onion and diced garlic, cook for 3 minutes, stirring frequently. Add chicken back to pan.

Add tomato and cook until slightly thickened, 2-3 minutes. Add clam juice and chicken broth. Return to low boil until chicken is cooked (or when chicken pulls apart with two forks).

Remove chicken from pot and pull apart with two forks, into bite sized pieces and return to pot. Add smoked paprika and saffron to pot. Taste broth and adjust seasonings. Add more broth, salt, pepper or smoked paprika to taste.

Add garbanzo beans to pan and return to a slow boil. If too thick, add more chicken broth (or clam juice for more seafood flavor). You will need enough liquid to make room ro stir clams, shrimp, beans and cod into mixture.

Add clams to pot, cook for 2 minutes. Then add green beans and cod. Cook for 1-2minutes.

Add shrimp. Cook until shrimp are cooked through and clams open.

Serve in wide bowls and top with cilantro, lemon and crusty bread!!