BRETON FISH STEW …
Fish Stew - Don’t get to precious about this recipe - Try it for Valentines!
What you need - Near as damn it!
2kg/4lb 8oz mixed fresh fish fillets and shellfish, for me prawns, mussels, squid are a must!
8 tbsp olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
good pinch of saffron
1 large onion, [leeks & shallots are also good] -sliced
garlic cloves, I like mine really ‘garlicy’ finely chopped, plus an extra clove for the toast
1kg/2lb 4oz ripe tomatoes, skinned and chopped, or 2x400g/14oz tins of chopped tomatoes or passata
125ml/4fl oz good stock
125ml/4fl oz white wine
chopped fresh chilli or chilli powder to taste
3 tbsp finely chopped flatleaf parsley
salt and freshly ground black pepper
Method in the Madness!
Clean and prepare your chosen fish and shellfish or buy a bag of fish pie filling if you want to? Cut fish fillets into large chunks and seafood into manageable pieces.
Put saffron strands into a cup with 2tbs of boiling water & leave to rest. Put the oil, onion into a large pan and fry briefly. If you have a cast iron pan - This makes a great vessel for this dish!
Add the tomatoes, wine & bring to the boil add the chilli, garlic & saffron strands. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for 15 minutes or so.
Start to add large pieces of fish to the sauce first, and the shellfish, ending up with the mussels if using. Cook for five or so minutes, or until the fish is cooked and the mussels have opened. (Discard any mussels that haven't opened.) Add the parsley. If you are using a cast iron pot, turn the heat off & cover with a lid for the same amount of time.
Rub the bread with garlic, drizzle with olive oil, lightly toast.
Additives!
I like to eat this dish with chips or lightly roasted new potatoes or both, you can also put new potatoes in the soup for a variation.
Alioli - Garlic Mayonnaise ‘the easy way’
Mix half a bowl of mayonnaise with 4tbs olive oil, a squeeze of lemon juice, mix! I like to add capers to this mixture too …
Breton Stew with all the trimmings is my idea of a true love story & a Valentine delight! Happy Valentines Day xxxx
