Description
Elegant Bouillabaisse: A Rich Seafood Stew Experience is a luxurious and aromatic French seafood stew, brimming with fresh fish, shellfish, and a fragrant broth infused with saffron, garlic, and herbs. A traditional Provencal dish that’s perfect for special occasions or a comforting dinner, offering an authentic taste of coastal France.
Ingredients
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- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 leek, cleaned and sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 fennel bulb, chopped
- 1 large tomato, peeled and chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon saffron threads
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 4 cups fish stock
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 pound firm white fish fillets (such as cod, halibut, or snapper), cut into chunks
- 1/2 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/2 pound mussels, cleaned
- 1/2 pound clams, cleaned
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 baguette, sliced
- 1/4 cup rouille sauce (for serving, optional)
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, leek, garlic, and fennel. Sauté for 7-8 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Add Tomatoes and Spices: Stir in the chopped tomato, saffron, thyme, and bay leaf. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the tomatoes begin to break down.
- Make the Broth: Pour in the fish stock and white wine. Bring the mixture to a simmer, and cook for 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the Seafood: Add the white fish, shrimp, mussels, and clams to the pot. Simmer for 5-7 minutes until the seafood is cooked through, and the shellfish have opened. Discard any unopened mussels or clams.
- Finish the Soup: Stir in the fresh parsley, basil, and lemon juice. Remove from heat.
- Serve: Ladle the bouillabaisse into bowls, and serve with sliced baguette and a dollop of rouille sauce on top, if desired.
Notes
- Rouille sauce is a traditional garlic mayonnaise served with bouillabaisse. It can be made by blending mayonnaise, garlic, saffron, and a bit of cayenne pepper.
- You can vary the seafood based on availability. Scallops and squid are also great additions.
- Serve with a glass of chilled white wine like a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 330
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 170mg