La Bouillabaisse, a classic French dish that originated from the beautiful Mediterranean coasts and has conquered the world. This rich and flavorful seafood soup brings together delicious sea treasures such as fresh fish fillets, shrimp, mussels, and calamari. Here is a Bouillabaisse recipe for you to capture this unique flavor in your own kitchen. Gather fresh ingredients for an unforgettable French experience and follow the steps skillfully to prepare this exquisite Bouillabaisse. This soup, where flavors dance together, will offer a true feast for seafood lovers.
If you’re ready, gather the ingredients and let’s head to the kitchen!
Ingredients
- 500 grams of shrimp
- 500 grams of calamari
- 500 grams of cod fillets
- 500 grams of mussels or oysters
- 2 onions
- 4 cloves of garlic
- 4 tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 liter of fish stock or vegetable broth
- 1 cup of white wine
- 1 teaspoon of saffron
- 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon of dried basil
- Salt and pepper (optional)
- Fresh parsley (for garnish)
Preparation
- Clean the shrimp and remove the shells from the mussels/oysters. Slice the calamari into rings. You can optionally cut the cod fillets into smaller pieces.
- Dice the onions, mince the garlic cloves, and chop the tomatoes into cubes.
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot. Add the onions and sauté over low heat until they turn pink. Then add the garlic and stir until fragrant.
- Add the diced tomatoes to the pot. Cook for a few minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes release their juices and thicken slightly.
- Pour in the white wine and bring it to a boil. Once it boils, add the saffron, thyme, and basil. You can add salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the fish stock or vegetable broth to the pot. Bring it to a boil and then reduce the heat. Let it simmer for about 20 minutes. This way, the flavors of the soup will blend well, and the consistency will thicken.
- Add the prepared seafood to the pot. Add the shrimp, calamari, cod fillets, mussels, or oysters. Continue simmering for about 10-15 minutes until all the ingredients are thoroughly cooked.
- Garnish the Bouillabaisse with freshly chopped parsley before serving.
- Bouillabaisse is typically served with slices of bread or croutons. Enjoy!
Note: You can also make Bouillabaisse without using fish stock or broth, but the taste may be slightly different. Additionally, you can adjust the ingredients and measurements according to your personal preference. In some versions, different vegetables such as celery, carrots, or leeks are also added to Bouillabaisse for additional flavor.
Remember that Bouillabaisse is a traditional French dish, and the provided ingredients and steps are based on the classic recipe. However, you can adapt the recipe according to your own preferences and ingredient availability.
Since Bouillabaisse is a rich seafood soup, it is usually served as a main course. You can accompany it with fresh bread slices or croutons. Additionally, you can serve it with fresh greens or lemon slices on the side.
I hope this recipe is helpful to you and enables you to experience a delicious Bouillabaisse.
Bon appétit!