Smoked Fish Soup, found in delis & bistros everywhere in Republic of Ireland (with Waitrose multi-seed half baguette 80p)
photo 24/9/16
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It's not surprising because the soup is rich, thick and satisfying - a bowlful will suffice for supper - and Ireland has plenty of smoked fish.
67's version is based on Smoked Haddock and is almost free of dairy. It's gorgeously flavourful, velvety, smooth and satisfying.
Low-Dairy 'Cream of Haddock' Soup is modelled on what chefs call a veloute -- a rich soup based on chicken, veal or fish stock with butter, flour and plenty of cream. Veloutes usually appear on high-end menus; they're considered rather sophisticated, with expensive ingredients adding a touch of luxury.
67's version is healthier -- it has no cream or flour and only a tiny amount of butter but is still richly textured and thrillingly tasty.
The cost of smoked haddock (£10 a pound/1/2 kilo: Oct 2019) makes the soup an indulgence but Waitrose currently has a special on two types of smoked haddock.
The soup will impress when entertaining, ideally served piping hot in small cups. Or it makes a lovely first course for a special lunch or dinner. It will also serve as a light main course.
It's one of the blog's more popular choices, appearing on page views time and again throughout the year.
Cost: £8-10
Serves: 6 as main; 8 as first course; many as appetizer
Ingred:
2 onions
2 carrots
1 large potato
(all the above coarsely chopped)
1 tbsp butter & 1 tbsp good olive oil
16 oz/1/2 kilo uncooked smoked haddock OR 8oz/1/4 kilo each of smoked haddock and white fish, divided
1 bunch parsley tied together
1 bay leaf
2 cloves garlic, grated
6 cups of fish stock (pref) or water (you can replace 1 cup fish stock with white wine/grape juice)
1 sprig fresh or a generous pinch dried thyme
1 tbsp butter & 1 tbsp good olive oil
16 oz/1/2 kilo uncooked smoked haddock OR 8oz/1/4 kilo each of smoked haddock and white fish, divided
1 bunch parsley tied together
1 bay leaf
2 cloves garlic, grated
6 cups of fish stock (pref) or water (you can replace 1 cup fish stock with white wine/grape juice)
1 sprig fresh or a generous pinch dried thyme
1 tsp Dijon mustard
zest of a lemon
Garnish:
zest of a lemon
Garnish:
chives (opt)
Method:
- Over med heat, saute onion, carrots & potato in butter/olive oil; reduce heat to low and continue to sweat the veg for 20 mins, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking
- Add water/stock, parsley, bay leaf, garlic.
- Divide smoked haddock into 2 equal pieces; add one piece to the pot (if using white fish, add it here) refrigerate the rest
- Bring to the boil; turn heat right down; simmer 20 mins
- Take out cooked fish; add second piece of haddock
- Slightly cool fish retrieved from the pot; remove skin and bones; flake coarsely; set aside
- Check 2nd piece of haddock after 15 mins; if cooked through, remove; when cool, remove skin and bones; flake coarsely; set aside for garnish
- Remove parsley bunch and bay leaf from soup; add mustard and zest and first lot of flaked haddock
- If serving straightaway, blitz with stick blender or -- very carefully -- in a cup blender that's only half full.
- Serve generously garnished with reserved flakes of haddock and, if using, chives, if using
- If serving later, cool and whizz until smooth and velvety. Reheat without boiling; garnish with reserved coarsely flaked haddock and chives
Tip:
If in frugal mode, replace half the smoked haddock with frozen or fresh sustainably-sourced white fish, though expect the flavour to be less intense.
More fish on Nav Bar: Recipes I: Fish
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This recipe has been developed by B M Lee/ Bright Sun Enterprises. It may not be reproduced without the author's written permission.
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