Have you ever tried Bouillabaisse – probably the most famous French fish soup? If yes, do you know how to make bouillabaisse, for real?
This world renowned fish soup perhaps originated from the southern France, Provence, and Marseille, the capital of Provence, offers every kind of Bouillabaisse that tourists can die for. I, personally have never been to Marseille and I don’t know what the so-called authentic Bouillabaisse is. But I do know one thing which I want to address in this blog post, is how to make a real one, since I read a decades-old cookbook*.
Do you think it requires 10+ hours to cook?
I thought it was like making ramen broth but I was wrong! IT COOKS 10MINS ONLY!
Important Ingredients for a Real Bouillabaisse
Another key point is – you need a large variety of seafood.
This soup requires quite a lot of rockfish, some fishes that look creepy and cannot be sold at a good price, such as crawfish, rascasse, gurney, weever, roucaou, John Dory, monk or angler fish, conger eel, whiting, bass, crab, etc..
Cook in a Rapid Fire and in Short Time
First, separate the firm fishes and soft fishes. Put the onions, garlic, tomatoes, thyme, fennel, parsley, bay leaf and orange peel on top of the firm fishes. Then pour over half a glass of oil, followed by covering with boiling water. Season it and put it on a high fire. Literally, half of the pan/pot should be on fire. Boil for 5 mins, then add the soft fishes. Boil for another 5 mins.
To me, I would definitely not cook at home, whilst the French prefer homemade to eating in a restaurant.
For a Rich Flavour
Another way to make a rich Bouillabaisse is to make a fish bouillon with fish heads to replace the water.
Still, I won’t do it by myself.
For a Passable Version
And the book mentions a passable Bouillabaisse that can be made with 3-4 kinds of fish.
Well, then I’ll call it a home-style fish soup.
In case you want to know more about the real Bouillabaisse in Marseille, there is an interesting article about it. You can read it here.
*A Book of Mediterranean Food by Elizabeth David
