Recipe: Bouillabaisse Made Easy [edit]

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  • In life, pain is inevitable, the suffering is optional...

Edited by: Colin Saunders

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Yield: 1 servings

[edit] Ingredients

16

gulf prawns, peeled, shells saved (16-20 to a pound)

¼

cup brandy

1

cup white wine

¼

cup tomato paste

½

gal clam or Clamato juice

Zest of 1 orange

Pinch of saffron

¼

cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for sauteeing

1

bulb fennel, cored and sliced paper-thin

2

carrots, peeled and sliced paper-thin

Salt and white pepper to taste

1

yellow onion, sliced into thin rings

1

tablespoon champagne vinegar

16

manila clams, rinsed well

24

mussels, rinsed well

1

pound whitefish, cut into (1-ounce) cubes

Fennel sprigs to garnish

[edit] Preparation

Step 1

In a skillet, sear shrimp shells over medium-high heat until shells are red.

Step 2

Remove from heat, add brandy to pan and deglaze, stirring to loosen any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan. Return pan to heat, add white wine and tomato paste and reduce by 2/3. Add clam juice, simmer 15 minutes to create stock.

Step 3

Place orange zest and saffron in a bowl and strain stock over the top; let steep 15 minutes and strain. While stock is steeping, put extra-virgin oil in saucepan. Add fennel and carrots and sweat on low heat for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add onion rings and vinegar. Cook 8 more minutes until tender.

Step 4

Place clams in a large saute pan with a little oil. Add mussels and cubed whitefish. Add shrimp, sear lightly on both sides. Add broth and vegetables and simmer until mussels and clams open.

Step 5

To serve, place mussels and clams around edge of individual bowls. Arrange vegetables and fish in middle of bowl with shrimp on top. Garnish with fennel sprig.

[edit] About Bouillabaisse Made Easy

A classic bouillabaisse draws its rich flavor from a stock made from slow-roasted clam, mussel and shrimp shells. To cut preparation time from days to minutes, I use clam juice to achieve a quick, flavorful stock. You can also use Clamato juice.