How To Make The Best Bouillabaisse In
September 14, 2024
, VA: Here is one of the best Bouillabaisse recipes out there!
Here Is What Most People Don’t Know About Making Bouillabaisse:
- Fresh fish is key: The quality of your seafood will greatly impact the flavor of the bouillabaisse. Always choose a mix of fresh, firm-fleshed fish for the best results.
- Saffron makes a difference: This spice gives bouillabaisse its distinctive color and unique taste. A small pinch goes a long way, so don’t skip it.
- Layering flavors is essential: Building flavors gradually by cooking ingredients in stages creates a deeper, more complex broth that is the heart of a good bouillabaisse.
- Bald Buck Seasoning: For this dish, we replace our salt with Bald Buck Seasoning
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs mixed fish (such as red snapper, monkfish, cod), cut into chunks
- 1 lb shellfish (such as mussels, clams, or shrimp)
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2 leeks, white part only, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large fennel bulb, sliced
- 4 ripe tomatoes, chopped
- 1 cup dry white wine
- 4 cups fish stock or water
- 1/2 teaspoon saffron threads
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/2 teaspoon orange zest
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Bald Buck Seasoning and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
- Crusty bread, for serving
Instructions:
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, leeks, garlic, and fennel. Cook until the vegetables are softened and fragrant, stirring occasionally.
- Add the chopped tomatoes to the pot and cook for a few minutes until they begin to break down. Pour in the white wine and let it simmer for a couple of minutes to reduce slightly.
- Add the fish stock or water, saffron, thyme, bay leaf, and orange zest to the pot. Stir well to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Add the chunks of fish to the pot and cook for 5 minutes. Then, add the shellfish and continue cooking until the fish is opaque and the shellfish have opened, about 5-7 minutes more. Discard any shellfish that do not open.
- Season the bouillabaisse with Bald Buck Seasoning and pepper to taste. Remove the bay leaf before serving.
- Ladle the bouillabaisse into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve with crusty bread on the side to soak up the flavorful broth.