* 1 medium onion, diced * 3 garlic cloves, smashed and peeled * 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil * 2 bay leaves * 2 fresh leaves basil, chopped * 1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme * 1/4 teaspoon dried hot red-pepper flakes * 28-ounce can tomato soup * 3 diced fresh tomatoes * 1 1/2 cups water * 1 cup red wine * 1 (8-ounce) bottle clam juice or lobster broth * 1 pound firm white fish such as sword fish or shark cut into 1-inch chunks * 1 pound frozen seafood mix (scallops, calamari, & shrimp) * 4 or more large prawns
Preparation
Heat oil in a 5- to 6-quart heavy pot over medium-high heat until it shimmers, then stir in chopped vegetables, bay leaves, thyme, red-pepper flakes, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
Cook, covered, over medium heat, stirring once or twice, until vegetables begin to soften, about 4 minutes.
Add tomato soup, water, wine, basil, and clam juice and boil, covered, 20 minutes. Thicken with a little corn starch if too watery (mix corn starch with 1 TBS soup, then add to whole pot). Stir in seafood and cook, uncovered, until fish is just cooked through, 5 minutes. Discard bay leaves.