A common trait of all Mediterranean culinary traditions is the dish cooked in a covered earthware (terracotta) recipient, either of fish or meat. Fish based stews change name from country to country: Cacciucco in Tuscany, Brodetto on the Adriatic, Zarzuela in Spain, Bouillabaisse in France and Cioppino in California. These dishes are all similar enough however to suppose that they all originated from one fish stew recipe that existed centuries ago and is now present from the Mediterranean to the Pacific.
Bouillabaisse
A delicate and unmistakable aroma
Arguably the most famous fish stew of the Mediterranean, bouillabaisse is thought to have originated in Marseilles but can be found all along the coast of Provence. The mythical genesis of bouillabaisse, as recounted by the Marseillais, is that Venus created it to serve to her husband, Vulcan, in order to lull him into a complacent sleep while she had an affair with Mars.
It is thought that the precursor to the Provencal bouillabaisse is an Italian fish stew called brodetto that even today is its closest cousin.
Bouillabaisse's distinguishing mark comes not from the fish, which all fish-stews have, but from the particular flavor given it by the inclusion of saffron, fennel seeds and orange zest.
Ingredients for three
2 pound fish depending upon what is available at the fish market, your vendor may be able to help with the selection; ex. sole, mullet, monk fish, dogfish, goby, baby squid, baby octopus, cuttlefish, mussels, scampi and off course shrimp.
2 shallots minced, extra virgin olive oil, 2 cloves garlic, 1 tomato peeled and seeded parsley, minced thyme, dry orange rinds (from a half orange) one bag saffron, salt, pepper, two slices of good bread
Preparation
Gut and clean the fish, then cut it into regular proportions. Put the following ingredients into a large, earthenware casserole dish; green onion, garlic, tomato, minced parsley and orange rinds. Then fix first the crustaceans, then the fish and chunks: sole, mullet, monkfish, dogfish, goby, baby squid, baby octopus, cuttlefish, and mussels. Drizzle a good amount of oil on everything, add salt and pepper and add cold water so that the fish are submerged.
Cook on a high flame and as soon as it starts to boil again add the saffron. Cook the fish stew for 15 minutes then turn off the flame. Add salt, pepper and saffron to taste. Arrange the fish in a large, warm plate Strain the broth into a soup tureen into which you have arranged slices of first choice quality bread (casareccio as an example) bread. Sprinkle the parsley on both the broth and the fish and serve.
About the author:
David Russo, VMD, PhD Veterinary Scientist, Gourmet Lover and Amateur Cook. Click here to visit his website: www.high-net-worth-gourmet.com
