Shellfish Stock

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Home made stock beats shop bought stock, each and every time. There is no greater example than this Shellfish Stock – pan frying and cooking the shells from shellfish intensifies and maximises their flavour. Throw in some vegetables, herbs, spices, brandy and wine, and you will find that the depth of flavour you introduce into your dishes, is astounding!

This may not be the most economical of homemade stocks, but then again, few of us eat shellfish, these days, to be economical. On the plus side, you could argue that, by not throwing the shells away, and using them in this stock, we are actually helping to reduce food waste! Hurrah!!

What recipes can I make with Shellfish Stock?

This is an indulgent stock for use in suitably indulgent recipes, such as the Prawn Bisque, the Pan-fried Salmon Trout with Creamy Polenta, Roast Vegetables and Prawn Bisque or the Lobster Risotto, shown below. It is also delicious used in other soupds, risottos, paella, gumbos and even curries.

How to make Shellfish Stock

A couple of notes –

• I prefer not to season my stock with salt or pepper. Stock is used to create other dishes, which you will be seasoning. By seasoning stock, you may find that the finished dish is over seasoned.
• To get the best flavour, you need to use a good quantity of shells. This recipe uses 1kg shells and you end up with 1½ litres of stock. If you ask your fishmonger in advance, they will save shells for you, although there may be a small fee. You can also freeze shells. If you have any leftover from another recipe, freeze them, and then use them when you have sufficient to make a stock.

Collect all your ingredients together:

• olive oil
• shellfish shells and offcuts – I like to use shells from langoustine, lobster, prawns, crayfish or shrimp (singularly or a mix), broken into pieces
• garlic, skin on and slightly crushed
• fennel, sliced
• onion, sliced
• carrot, trimmed and sliced
• celery, trimmed and sliced
• fennel seeds
• tomatoes, chopped
• bay leaves
• fresh herbs such as thyme, parsley, dill, chervil, tarragon
• brandy – optional but recommended (replace with water if preferred)
• wine – optional but recommended (replace with water if preferred)
• water (or more if necessary)

How to make this amazing stock:

1. Heat ½ of the oil in a large pan and cook the shells, over a medium heat, for 10 minutes. They will turn pink as they cook. Stir from time to time.
2. Remove the shells from the pan and set aside.
3. Prepare the vegetables whilst the shells are cooking –
   • garlic – slightly crushed, no need to peel
   • fennel – sliced
   • onion – sliced, no need to peel
   • carrot – trimmed and sliced, no need to peel,
   • celery – trimmed and sliced.
4. Add the remaining oil and the vegetables (apart from the tomatoes) to the pan and cook over a medium to low heat, for a further 10 minutes. Stir from time to time, until the vegetables have softened and are lightly caramelised.
5. Chop the tomatoes, whilst you cook these vegetables.
6. Add the shellfish shells back to the pan, heat thoroughly, stirring, over a moderate to hot heat and then pour in the brandy. Shake the pan and, very carefully, flambé/set the brandy alight.
7. When the flames have died down, add the wine and bring to the boil. Simmer until the wine has reduced by half.
8. Add the water, tomatoes, fennel seeds and herbs. Bring to a very, very gentle rolling simmer and cook over a low heat, uncovered, for 2 – 3 hours. Periodically skim off any impurities which rise to the surface of the stock. Keep an eye on it to make sure it is not reducing too quickly. If so, turn the heat down even lower and add a little more water.
9. When the stock is cooked, tip into a colander over a large pan and strain the stock.
10. Wash out your original pan and top with a muslin lined sieve. Strain the stock again.
11. Your stock is now ready. You should have around a 1½ litres of stock. If you have less than 1½ litres, make up to 1½ litres with boiling water. If more, reduce it, until you have 1½ litres.
12. As soon as the stock has cooled, store, covered in the fridge for up to 3 days, or for up to 3 months in the freezer.

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Made this recipe?

If you make this recipe, do please tag me on instagram @daffodil_kitchen. You could also leave a comment in the box directly below the recipe.