Easy Fish Stew With Mediterranean Flavors
INGREDIENTS
·
4 large garlic
cloves, cut in half, green shoots removed
·
4 anchovy
fillets, soaked in water for 4 minutes, drained and rinsed
·
2 tablespoons extra
virgin olive oil
·
1 large onion,
chopped
·
1 celery rib,
chopped
·
1 medium carrot,
chopped
·
Salt, preferably
kosher salt, to taste
·
1 (28-ounce)
can chopped tomatoes, with liquid
·
1 quart water
·
1 pound
small new potatoes, scrubbed and quartered or sliced
·
A bouquet
garni made with a bay leaf, a strip of orange zest, a couple of sprigs
each thyme and parsley, and a dried red chile if desired, tied together with a
string
·
Freshly
ground pepper
·
1 to 1 ½ pounds
firm white-fleshed fish such as halibut, tilapia, Pacific cod or
black cod, cut in 2-inch pieces
PREPARATION
1.
Place the garlic cloves
and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a mortar and pestle, and mash to a paste. Add the
anchovy fillets and mash with the garlic. Set aside.
2.
Heat the olive oil over
medium heat in a large, heavy soup pot or Dutch oven, and add the onion, celery
and carrot with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring, until the onion is tender,
about five minutes. Add the pureed garlic and anchovy. Cook, stirring, until
the mixture is very fragrant, about one minute, and then add the tomatoes.
Cook, stirring often, until the tomatoes have cooked down a bit and the mixture
smells aromatic, about 10 to 15 minutes. Add the water, potatoes, salt (to
taste) and the bouquet garni. Bring to a simmer. Turn the heat to low, cover
partially and simmer 30 minutes. Taste, adjust salt and add pepper to taste.
Remove the bouquet garni.
3.
Season the fish with salt
and pepper, and stir into the soup. The soup should not be boiling. Simmer five
to 10 minutes (depending on the thickness of the fillets) or just until it
flakes easily when poked. Remove from the heat, stir in the parsley, taste once
more, adjust seasonings and serve.
Tip
·
Advance
preparation: You can make this through step 2 up to three days ahead. Keep in
the refrigerator, bring back to a simmer and proceed with the recipe.
