At the start of a new year, most of us want to feel a little lighter.

That could mean actually losing a few pounds. Or simply resetting the palate after one holiday after another holiday of rich, heavy foods. Or reverting back to effortless cooking after preparing one too many complicated holiday specialties. Or simply stressing less about everything in general.

Whether the desire is physical or emotional, “Neapolitan Fish Stew” will take a load off.

That’s because it’s a no-brainer to prepare, and its simple, clear yet satisfying flavors provide the verve to energize any new beginning.

This simple and healthful recipe is from “A Kitchen In Italy” (Clarkson Potter), of which I received a review copy. It’s by Mimi Thorisson, a food writer and cookbook author of Chinese and French heritages who lives in Turin, Italy. The book is lavishly photographed by her husband Oddur Thorisson, an Icelandic photographer.

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