Cannellini Bean and Shrimp Stew

This is one of my FAVORITE stews of all time! A MUST try! I love the way all the flavors and textures mingle together. It's got a bright broth that's just terrific!

Ingredients
1 pound unpeeled large shrimp
4 teaspoons olive oil, divided
1/2 cup dry white wine
2 cups water
1 (8-ounce) bottle clam juice
1 bay leaf
3 cups chopped onion
1 tablespoon tomato paste
6 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
4 cups cooked cannellini beans
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Preparation
Peel and devein shrimp, reserving shells. Cover and chill shrimp.
Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add reserved shrimp shells to pan; sauté 3 minutes or until shells turn pink. Stir in wine; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes or until liquid almost evaporates. Stir in 2 cups water, clam juice, and bay leaf; simmer 12 minutes or until liquid is reduced by half. Set shrimp stock aside.

Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion to pan; cook 8 minutes or until lightly browned, stirring occasionally. Add tomato paste and garlic; cook 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Stir in thyme, salt, pepper, and tomatoes; bring to a simmer. Strain shrimp stock through a colander over Dutch oven; discard solids. Add beans to pan; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes; remove from heat. Stir in shrimp; cover and let stand 5 minutes or until shrimp are done. Stir in parsley.

Yield
6 servings (serving size: 1 1/3 cups)

Nutritional Information
CALORIES 318(15% from fat); FAT 5.3g (sat 0.7g,mono 2.4g,poly 0.9g); PROTEIN 24.9g; CHOLESTEROL 116mg; CALCIUM 340mg; SODIUM 486mg; FIBER 2.6g; IRON 5.6mg; CARBOHYDRATE 43.7g

Cooking Light, DECEMBER 2007