Storms, whether rain or snow seem to vibrate inside me.  They make creative juices flow and I find myself huddled at home cooking or creating whenever the weather is tumultuous.  Today was no exception.  Wind howled, snow swirled.  I cooked.    I’m not a baker – cookies, bread, pies and cakes are a bit of a challenge.  I’m an on top of the burner kinda gal.  I like to watch what the heat does to the different things I throw into a pot.   This recipe is an amazingly simple one and takes about 1/2 hour from start to finish.  Maya Angelou says every woman should have one good recipe she can whip out at moment’s notice.  This might be the one – my gift to you.  You can play it down for a rustic, in front of the fire stew or dress it up for an elegant, impressive meal.  As you can see, I went with the lazy snowy day style presentation.

Provencal Fish Stew

1/2 cup olive oil

1/2 cup chopped onions (about 2 medium onions)

5 minced garlic cloves

1/4 cup chopped parsley (or slightly less dry parsley)

1 tsp dry basil

1 tsp dry oregano

1/2 tsp tumeric (for color)

1 (28 oz) can of plum tomatoes

1 1/2 cup dry white wine

1 1/2 lb cod or haddock cut into 1″ chunks

1 lb cocktail shrimp

Salt & pepper to taste.

Saute onions and garlic in olive oil.  Add parsley, basil, oregano and tumeric.  Add the tomatoes (with juices) and wine.  Stir and simmer for 5 minutes.  Add fish and shrimp and simmer for 20 minutes.  Serve with rustic, country bread brushed with olive oil and toasted in the oven.