In the heart of Provence, where the sun-drenched lavender fields meet the azure waters of the Mediterranean, lies a culinary gem that captures the essence of this enchanting region: the Provençal Shellfish Stew. This delectable dish, also known as "Bouillabaisse Provençale", is an aromatic symphony of fresh seafood, vibrant herbs, and sun-ripened tomatoes, all simmering together in a saffron-infused broth.
This article presents a collection of three distinct recipes that pay homage to this classic Provençal dish. The first recipe, "Traditional Bouillabaisse", remains faithful to the original version, showcasing the diverse flavors of various shellfish, including mussels, clams, and shrimp, swimming in a flavorful broth enriched with saffron, fennel, and orange zest.
The second recipe, "Bouillabaisse à la Sétoise", offers a delightful twist on the traditional stew. Hailing from the port city of Sète, this variation features an array of Mediterranean fish, such as sea bass, red mullet, and John Dory, along with the classic shellfish. The broth is further enhanced with the addition of white wine, Pernod, and a touch of pastis, lending a unique aniseed flavor.
Finally, the "Simplified Shellfish Stew" caters to those seeking a more accessible version of this Provençal delicacy. This recipe streamlines the process by using a pre-made seafood stock and a selection of frozen or canned seafood, making it a convenient yet equally delicious option.
Whether you're a seasoned home cook or a culinary novice, these recipes provide a fantastic opportunity to embark on a culinary journey to the heart of Provence. Immerse yourself in the vibrant flavors and aromas of this iconic stew, and discover the magic that unfolds when the sea meets the land in this timeless Provençal creation.
SEAFOOD STEW
Steps:
- Heat the oil in a Dutch oven or stockpot, add the onions, potatoes, fennel, salt, and pepper, and saute over medium-low heat for 15 minutes, until the onions begin to brown. Add the wine and scrape up the brown bits with a wooden spoon. Add the tomatoes with their juices, stock, garlic, and saffron to the pot, bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, until the potatoes are tender. Add the shrimp, fish, and mussels, bring to a boil, then lower the heat, cover, and cook for 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and allow the pot to sit covered for another 5 minutes. The fish and shrimp should be cooked and the mussels opened. Discard any mussels that don't open. Stir in the Pernod, orange zest, and salt, to taste. Serve ladled over 1 or 2 slices of toasted baguette.;
- Warm the oil in the pan over medium heat. Add the shrimp shells, onions, carrots, and celery over medium heat for 15 minutes, until lightly browned. Add the garlic and cook 2 more minutes. Add 1 1¿2 quarts of water, the white wine, tomato paste, salt, pepper, and thyme. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 1 hour. Strain through a sieve, pressing the solids. You should have approximately 1 quart of stock. If not, you can make up the difference with water or white wine.
PROVENçAL FISH STEW
This dish turns the proportion of fish to vegetables on its head -- more vegetables, less fish. There's enough shrimp and squid to let you know you're eating a fish stew, but enough chickpeas and spinach to let you know it is something different. A puttanesca-like seasoning of garlic, olives, capers, anchovies and tomato paste flavors the braise.
Provided by Mark Bittman
Categories dinner, quick, main course
Time 30m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
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.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 523, UnsaturatedFat 15 grams, Carbohydrate 38 grams, Fat 21 grams, Fiber 7 grams, Protein 48 grams, SaturatedFat 4 grams, Sodium 1115 milligrams, Sugar 3 grams, TransFat 0 grams
SHELLFISH STEW PROVENçALE
Steps:
- Clean the hard-shelled clams:
- Scrub the clams thoroughly with a stiff brush under cold water, discarding any that have cracked shells or that are not shut tightly.
- Make the stew:
- In a kettle cook the onion, the fennel, and the bell pepper in the oil over moderate heat, stirring, until the vegetables are softened. Stir in the zest, the minced thyme, the bay leaf, the cayenne, and the saffron, cook the mixture, stirring, for 30 seconds, and add the wine, the stock, the tomatoes, and salt and pepper to taste. Simmer the mixture, uncovered, for 15 minutes, add the garlic, and simmer the mixture for 5 minutes. The stew may be prepared up to this point 2 days in advance, cooled, uncovered, and kept covered and chilled. Stir in the shrimp and the clams and simmer the mixture, covered, for 5 minutes. Add the crab legs and the scallops, simmer the stew, covered, for 3 minutes, or until the scallops are just cooked through and the clams are opened, and discard the bay leaf and any unopened clams. Divide the stew among 8 heated bowls and garnish it with the thyme sprigs.
- Make the stock:
- In a well-buttered heavy saucepan combine the fish bones and trimmings, the onion, the parsley, the lemon juice, and the salt and steam the mixture, covered, over moderately high heat for 5 minutes. Add the water and the wine, bring the liquid to a boil, skimming the froth, and simmer the stock for 20 minutes. Strain the stock through a fine sieve into a bowl, let it cool to warm, and chill it, covered. The stock keeps, covered and chilled, for 1 week if it is brought to a boil every 2 days and then allowed to cool to warm, uncovered, before being chilled again. The stock keeps, frozen, for 3 months. Makes about 6 cups.
PROVENCAL SEAFOOD PIE
Ingredients associated with Mediterranean fish stews -- garlic, fennel, saffron, and seafood -- are brought together in our Provencal potpie, which is served with garlicky aioli; the pie is topped with convenient store-bought puff pastry, whose layers won't overwhelm the lobster, shrimp, bass, and halibut underneath.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Dessert & Treats Recipes Pie & Tarts Recipes
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Heat oil and butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add leek, fennel, and garlic; cook, stirring, until vegetables are softened, about 6 minutes. Add flour; cook, stirring, 6 to 7 minutes. Whisk in stock. Bring to a boil. Stir in tomatoes. Reduce heat to medium-low. Add lobster, shrimp, scallops, bass, and halibut; cook 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in parsley. Let cool.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to a 10-inch square, about 1/4 inch thick. Cut out a small vent in center. Transfer stew to an 8-inch square baking dish. Cover with dough, allowing excess to overhang. Transfer to freezer until cold, 20 minutes.
- Whisk cream and egg yolk in a small bowl. Brush crust with egg wash. Bake pie on a rimmed baking sheet until crust is golden brown and puffy, 35 to 40 minutes. Serve with aioli.
PROVENCAL FISH STEW
Provided by Moira Hodgson
Categories dinner, main course
Time 45m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 16
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.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 749, UnsaturatedFat 11 grams, Carbohydrate 91 grams, Fat 15 grams, Fiber 14 grams, Protein 54 grams, SaturatedFat 3 grams, Sodium 571 milligrams, Sugar 13 grams, TransFat 0 grams
PROVENCAL FISH STEW WITH ROUILLE
Categories Soup/Stew Fish Vegetable Sauté Stew Dinner Halibut Fennel Leek White Wine Winter Bon Appétit Sugar Conscious Dairy Free Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free Kosher
Yield Makes 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
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.
Tips:
- Prep and Clean: Clean and devein shrimp, mussels, and clams thoroughly before cooking. Scrub mussels and clams to remove any dirt or debris.
- Fresh Seafood: Use the freshest seafood possible for the best flavor and texture.
- Sauté Aromatics: Sauté onions, garlic, and fennel in olive oil until softened and fragrant to create a flavorful base for the stew.
- Deglaze with White Wine: Add white wine to the pot after sautéing the aromatics. This helps to deglaze the pan and adds depth of flavor to the stew.
- Add Tomatoes and Broth: Incorporate diced tomatoes, fish stock, and chicken stock to create a rich and flavorful broth.
- Simmer Gently: Bring the stew to a simmer and let it cook gently for 15-20 minutes, or until the seafood is cooked through.
- Season to Taste: Adjust the seasoning with salt, pepper, and herbs like thyme and saffron to your preference.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish the stew with chopped parsley or basil and serve with crusty bread or rice.
Conclusion:
This Provencal Shellfish Stew is a delectable and aromatic dish that captures the essence of Mediterranean cuisine. By following these tips and the detailed recipe, you can create a flavorful and inviting stew that showcases the bounty of the sea. Enjoy this seafood extravaganza with your loved ones and savor the taste of the sun-kissed shores of Provence.
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