New England Bouillabaisse with Rouille and Croutons
A steaming bowl of this fragrant bouillabaisse is a truly comforting meal. Seafood lovers will adore this succulent feast.
Ingredients
For the Broth:
2-3 tbsp. olive oil
1 small onion, diced
1 med. leek, roots and all (trim off 1 in. of green part), diced, washed, and dried well
1 fennel bulb, top stalks and any tough outer layers removed, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 tsp. saffron
Pinch red pepper flakes
1 tsp. kosher salt
4 tomatoes, stemmed, seeded, and chopped
2 tbsp. tomato paste
2 cups dry white wine
Juice of 1 orange
For the Fish:
12 littleneck clams, washed well in cold water
1/2 lb. monkfish, trimmed and cut into 2-in. chunks
1/2 lb. haddock filet, skin removed, cut into 2-in. pieces
1/2 lb. cleaned squid bodies, cut into thin rings
12 mussels, scrubbed
12 small shrimp, shelled and deveined
2 tbsp. anisette, (optional)
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
1/2 cup rouille
1 loaf French bread, sliced and toasted
Steps
- For broth: Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot over med.-high heat. Add onion, leek, fennel, celery, garlic, saffron, red pepper flakes, and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 min.
- Add the tomatoes and tomato paste and stir to combine. Add 2 qt. water, white wine, and orange juice; bring to a boil. Lower the heat to just bubbling and cook for 3 min. (Can be made the day ahead, refrigerated, and reheated when needed. It can also be frozen.)
- To cook and serve the fish: Add the clams to the broth and cook for 6-8 min. Add the monkfish and stir gently. Simmer for 5 more min. When the clams open and the monkfish is almost cooked, add the haddock, squid, mussels, and shrimp. Add the anisette, if using. Cook for an additional 5 min., or until the haddock is cooked and the mussels open. All the fish should be delicately cooked.
- Carefully remove fish from broth with a slotted spoon and divide it among 4 large, heated bowls. Bring the broth to a boil and whisk in the 1/4 cup of olive oil. Ladle broth over fish. Sprinkle with chopped parsley. Serve the bouillabaisse with rouille spread on the croutons.