Julia Child’s Bouillabaisse

Fish lovers unite! This weeks Julia presentation is one of my favorites. Aroma’s of the ocean with a light tomato broth. I jumped up and squealed with glee when I received the email of this weeks #JC100 presenting dish. I have a thing for sea food. Maybe it’s because I have always lived around the waters. The fresh scent captures me and when I walk into a fish market I become happy and like a kid in a candy store. I remember my 4th grade teacher telling us, “if you walk into a fish market and it smells like fish, walk out”. I will never forget that. And you shouldn’t either. But instead, fish should smell sweet and delicate.

Bouillabaisse is what the fish stew is called. Mediterranean and simple in ingredients, used with whatever the local days catch was.  I had to do a quick Google search to find out the difference between Cioppino and Bouillabaisse since both are fish stews.  I’ve had cioppino before and it also is one of my favorite dishes. An Italian-American stew that I find a bit heartier with chunks of fennel and tomatoes. Bouillabaisse however, is strained relying on a lightly red/orange tomato broth.

Method:

1) Saute leeks in olive oil for about 5 minutes until wilted but not browned.

2) Add garlic and tomatoes. Raise heat and cook for a few more minutes.

3) Add about 6 cups of water, all the herbs and seasonings, orange peel and fish. At this point I placed in the larger fish first. Allow to cook at a moderate boil for about 30 minutes.

4) Add the smaller fish (clams, mussels, scallops) and allow to cook for an additional 10 minutes.

5) Once the fish is cooked. Gently take the fish out and reserve to a platter. Using a strainer or sieve, strain the soup leaving just the tomato broth. Taste broth for seasoning. (More salt?)

To plate, plate fish and shell fish in bowl and ladle broth.

Bon Appetit!