Pierre Franeys Fish Soup Recipes

PIERRE FRANEY'S FISH SOUP

Steps:

• Cut the fish into 1 1/2-inch cubes. Set aside.
• Put the tomatoes and their liquid into the container of a food processor, and process until fine. Or put them through a food mill. Set aside.
• Shell and devein the shrimp and set aside. Scrub the mussels well and set aside.
• Heat the oil in a fairly deep skillet or small kettle, and add the onions. Cook, stirring, until wilted. Add the celery and green pepper. Cook, stirring, about 5 minutes, and add the wine and bay leaf. Cook down about 1 minute. Add the tomatoes, thyme and hot red pepper. Add salt and pepper. Let simmer about 12 minutes.
• Add the fish and mussels. Push the solids down into the sauce. Cook over high heat about 3 minutes. Add the shrimp, and immerse them in the sauce. Let cook about 1 minute, and sprinkle with garlic and parsley. Stir and let simmer about 3 minutes longer.

FRENCH STYLE FISH SOUP

Steps:

• Bring base with fish stock and 1 clove garlic to a simmer. Add potatoes, cover and simmer 15 minutes. Add half of saffron, peas and fish and simmer gently for 5 minutes or until fish is cooked through. Season to taste with salt and Tabasco. Meanwhile, combine the mayonnaise with remaining garlic and saffron. Stir into soup, if you wish.

FISH SOUP GUADALAJARA-STYLE

Steps:

• Pull off and discard the stringy beards from the mussels. Scrub the mussels as necessary and drain them well. Set aside.
• Shell and devein the shrimp. Reserve both the shrimp and the shells. Cut each shrimp into three pieces. Set aside.
• Cut the tomatoes into small cubes. There should be about two cups. Set aside.
• Peel the potato and cut it into one-quarter-inch cubes. There should be about one and one-half cups. Cover with cold water and set aside.
• Put the mussels and shrimp shells in a kettle and add the four cups of water. Bring to the boil and cook one minute or until the mussels open. Drain well, reserving both the broth and the mussels and discarding the shrimp and mussel shells. Strain the broth through a fine sieve. There should be about five cups. Set aside.
• Heat the oil in a kettle and add the onions and garlic. Cook briefly, stirring, until onions are wilted. Add the celery and cook, stirring, one minute.
• Add the tomatoes and cook, stirring, about three minutes. Add the reserved broth, salt and pepper and bring to the boil. Cook 10 minutes.
• Drain the potato cubes and add them. Cook 10 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
• Add the shrimp and reserved mussels and cook about 10 seconds. Remove from the heat and serve immediately.
• To serve, spoon one or two tablespoons of the salsa cruda with avocado in each of six or eight hot soup bowls or, preferably, earthenware mugs and fill the bowls or mugs with soup. Sprinkle cilantro over all. The remaining salsa cruda with avocado may be added according to individual appetite.

FISH SOUP PROVENCALE

Steps:

• Cut the fish into 1-inch cubes.
• Heat the oil in a heavy casserole or skillet. Add the onions, leeks, garlic, red and green pepper and the saffron. Cook, stirring over medium high heat, until wilted.
• Add the wine, canned tomatoes, water, thyme, bay leaf, anise seed, red pepper flakes and salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Add the fish and the mussels; stir gently; bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Check for seasoning. Remove the thyme and bay leaf. Make sure all the mussels are open. If not, cook a bit longer. Sprinkle with the basil and serve.

FISH SOUP

Steps:

• Cut the fillets lengthwise in half or quarters. Cut each length into 1 1/2- inch pieces. There should be about 3 1/2 cups.
• Rinse the mussels well and pull off and discard any ''beards'' that protrude. There should be 4 or more cups.
• Shell and devein the shrimp. There should be about 1 1/2 cups.
• Heat the oil in a small kettle or large saucepan and add the garlic, onions, leeks and celery. Add turmeric, saffron and pepper flakes. Cook, stirring, about 3 minutes.
• Add the tomatoes and fish broth and cook 5 minutes. Add the fish and mussels and cook 5 minutes. Add the shrimp and cook about 2 minutes. Add salt and pepper and stir in the parsley. Serve.

FISH SOUP PROVENCALE

Steps:

• Remove any skin and cut the fish into one inch cubes.
• Heat the oil in a heavy casserole or skillet and add the onion, leeks, garlic, red and green peppers and the saffron and cook over medium heat until softened.
• Add the wine, tomatoes, water, thyme, bay leaf, anise seed, pepper flakes and salt and pepper and bring to a boil.
• Simmer for ten minutes.
• Add the fish and the mussels, stir gently and simmer for 5 minutes.
• Remove thyme sprig and bay leaf and taste for seasoning.
• If any mussels are unopened, cook for a bit longer.
• Sprinkle with basil (or parsley) and serve.

FISH SOUP WITH VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a kettle or a large saucepan over medium heat, and add the onions, garlic, fennel, leeks and carrots. Cook, stirring often, over medium-high heat until the mixture is wilted. Do not brown.
• Add the pepper flakes, saffron, thyme, bay leaf, fish broth, wine, crushed tomatoes, and salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat, and simmer for 5 minutes.
• Add the potatoes. Bring to a simmer, cover closely, and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Add the fish and the scallops. Check for seasoning. Simmer for 3 minutes; do not overcook. Add the cream, bring to a boil, remove from the heat, add the basil, and serve immediately with Parmesan croutons.