Provencal Fish Stew Recipes

PROVENçAL FISH STEW

Steps:

• Drain chickpeas. If you used dried, reserve cooking liquid; if they are canned, discard the liquid and rinse the chickpeas. Put 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When it's hot, add bread crumbs, sprinkle with salt and pepper and cook, stirring frequently, until they're crisp and toasted, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from pan.
• Add the remaining 2 tablespoons oil to the skillet; increase heat to medium-high. When oil is hot, add garlic, olives, capers and anchovies. Cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant, a minute or two. Add tomato paste and cook, stirring occasionally, until it darkens slightly, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Start adding spinach a handful at a time; keep stirring until all the spinach fits in the pan and starts to release its water; sprinkle with a little more pepper, then add the stock, chickpeas and red chile flakes if you're using them. Adjust the heat so the mixture bubbles gently but steadily, then stir in the squid and the shrimp. Cook until the seafood is just cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Taste and adjust the seasoning. Divide among bowls, sprinkle with bread crumbs and serve.

PROVENCAL FISH STEW

Steps:

• Slice the leeks and place them in a bowl of cold water. Rinse thoroughly to make sure all the grit is removed.
• Saute the peppers, carrots, fennel and garlic in the olive oil with the pepper flakes until soft but not brown. Add the tomatoes and a cup and a half of water. Add the potatoes and simmer gently for about 20 minutes or until the potatoes are cooked.
• Meanwhile, scrub the mussels and the clams. Heat the white wine in a large pan and add the shellfish. Cook them over high heat until they open (the mussels will open first). Remove them from the pan as soon as they open their shells; otherwise, they will become tough. Strain the cooking liquid if there is any sand in it and add it to the tomatoes and vegetables.
• Cut the fish fillets into two-inch pieces. Cut the squid into one-inch pieces. Add them to the casserole, cover and cook for five minutes. Add the shellfish just long enough to heat through. Sprinkle with parsley and serve immediately.

PROVENCAL FISH STEW

Steps:

• In a large skillet heat the oil over moderate heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté for 5 minutes or until the onion is soft.
• Add the bell pepper and cook for 4 minutes or until crisp-tender.
• Add the tomatoes and their juice, the broth fennel seeds, salt, cayenne and olives. Bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer; add the halibut and cod, cover and cook for 7 minutes or until the fish are cooked through. Stir in the basil and serve hot.

PROVENCAL SHELLFISH STEW

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion and fennel and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are golden, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, pepper, and saffron and cook another minute. Stir in the vermouth and simmer until reduced by about half. Lightly crush the tomatoes through your fingers into the pot; stir in their juices, add the water, orange zest, bay leaf, cover, and simmer until the flavors come together, about 20 minutes.
• Adjust the heat so that the broth simmers briskly. Stir in the clams, cover the pot, and cook until they just begin to open, 6 to 8 minutes. (To keep the clams from overcooking, transfer any fully opened ones to a bowl.) Add the scallops and shrimp and cook, uncovered, until they are just cooked through and opaque, 2 to 3 minutes more. Stir in the vinegar, parsley, and return any of the cooked clams along with their juices. Season with salt, if needed. Divide stew and shellfish among 4 warm bowls. Serve.

PROVENCAL FISH STEW WITH ROUILLE

Steps:

• Mix mayonnaise, garlic, and cayenne in small bowl. Cover and chill rouille. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead.)
• Place fennel fronds, thyme sprigs, and orange peel on large square of 2 layers of moistened cheesecloth. Gather cheesecloth and tie securely. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add fennel bulb and leek and sauté until soft, about 8 minutes. Add wine and saffron; bring to boil. Add broth and bouquet garni; return to boil. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 45 minutes. Add fish and simmer until opaque in center, about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, preheat oven to 375°F. Brush baguette slices with remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Arrange on baking sheet. Bake until golden brown, about 8 minutes. Spread rouille on toasts. Ladle stew into wide soup bowls, top with toasts, and serve.

PROVENçAL FISH STEW

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-based saucepan. Add in the shallot, garlic and coriander seeds and fry gently until the onion is tender and translucent, around 5 minutes.
• Add the chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, Pernod, orange peel, thyme and a little salt and pepper and simmer down until thick.
• Now stir in the fish stock and bring up to the boil.
• Reduce the heat, simmer for 2 minutes, taste and adjust the seasoning and your stew base is ready.
• Bring the base back to the boil. Add the mussels, cover and cook for about 3 minutes.
• Now add the fish and the squid, cover again and simmer gently for a final 2-3 minutes until the mussels have all opened. Serve at once.