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bouillabaisse with a twist

2015-11-15

Bouillabaisse is the shellfish / mixed seafood equivalent of a fish stew.

I know, this doesn't look nearly as nice as those internet pictures with all those mussel and clam shells in the soup, but then, I don't cook for looks. More important is that all the rest and the right flavors are there, although it took me a while to collect it all.

My twist? I added tomatoes and lettuce.

If you buy seafood mix for this, do get one without the fake crab meat, or else at least toss that stuff. It is outright gross when cooked.

INGREDIENTS

This is what you need for 4-8 servings:

• 1 dz. shucked raw oysters
• 1 lb. of clams or scallops
• clam bouillon or clam juice
• 1 lb. of seafood mix
• 1 lettuce, shredded.
• 1 qt. of plum tomatoes
• 1 lb. of baby potatoes, washed, unpeeled
• 5 garlic cloves, peeled, cut in half
• 1 medium onion, chopped small
• 1 cup dry white wine or cooking sherry
• S&P
• your favorite spices incl. bay leaf, oregano, thyme

 

Pic1: bouillabaisse without the shells

Pic2: tomato & lettuce soup
Pic3: cooking the oysters separately
Pic4: serve carefully

Directions

• In a stock pot, heat some oil, glaze the onions
• Add tomatoes, wine, spices, lettuce, potatoes and water (Pic2)
• Bring to boil, simmer for 15 min.
• Remove bay leaf and potatoes.
• Use a hand blender cut up the lettuce.
  The blended lettuce will thicken the soup and give it a bit of a crunch.
• Optionally. cut up a potato and blend it as well to thicken further.
• Simmer another 10 minutes.
• Check seasoning.
  I prefer this on the salty side. If the mix has become too salty, add some water.
• Depending on source, rinse the seafood or use it as is together with the liquid it comes in.
• Add the seafood to the soup and simmer 2-4 minutes over low heat.
  Do NOT boil or overcook. The seafood will become rubbery.
• Cook the oysters separately (Pic3) if you don’t want them to get lost in all the rest.
• Arrange the seafood and potatoes in a plate (Pic4)
• Add some oysters and some broth.
• Serve immediately and enjoy.

 

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