Bouillabaisse Provencal Fish Stew (Printable)

A classic Provencal seafood dish featuring fresh fish, shellfish, saffron, aromatic veggies, and a garlicky rouille.

# What You'll Need:

→ Fish & Seafood

01 - 14 oz firm white fish fillets (e.g., monkfish, sea bass), cut into chunks
02 - 10.5 oz oily fish fillets (e.g., red mullet), cut into chunks
03 - 10.5 oz mussels, cleaned and debearded
04 - 7 oz small shrimp, peeled and deveined
05 - 6 large sea scallops (optional)

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

06 - 2 tbsp olive oil
07 - 1 large onion, finely sliced
08 - 1 large leek (white part only), thinly sliced
09 - 2 fennel bulbs, sliced
10 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
11 - 4 ripe tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and chopped
12 - 1 large carrot, sliced
13 - Zest of 1 orange
14 - 1 bay leaf
15 - 2 sprigs thyme
16 - 1 sprig fresh parsley (plus extra for garnish)
17 - 1/2 tsp saffron threads
18 - 1 tsp fennel seeds
19 - 1/2 tsp black peppercorns
20 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Liquids

21 - 3/4 cup dry white wine
22 - 6 1/4 cups fish stock or water

→ For the Rouille

23 - 1 egg yolk
24 - 1 garlic clove, minced
25 - 1 small red chili, seeded and chopped
26 - 1/2 tsp saffron threads, soaked in 1 tbsp warm water
27 - 3.5 oz olive oil
28 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
29 - Salt, to taste

→ To Serve

30 - 1 small baguette, sliced and toasted
31 - Extra olive oil, for drizzling

# How to Make It:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large heavy pot over medium heat. Add onion, leek, fennel, carrot, and garlic. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes until softened without browning.
02 - Add tomatoes, orange zest, bay leaf, thyme, parsley, saffron threads, fennel seeds, black peppercorns, and season generously with salt and pepper. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
03 - Pour in white wine and simmer for 2 minutes. Add fish stock or water and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 25 minutes to develop flavors.
04 - Strain the broth through a fine sieve, pressing solids to extract maximum flavor. Discard solids and return broth to the cleaned pot.
05 - Bring the broth back to a gentle simmer. Add firm fish pieces and cook for 5 minutes. Then add oily fish, mussels, shrimp, and scallops if using. Simmer for an additional 5 to 6 minutes until seafood is cooked and mussels open. Discard any unopened mussels and adjust seasoning.
06 - Combine egg yolk, garlic, chili, saffron with soaking water, and mustard in a bowl. Whisk until smooth, then gradually drizzle in olive oil while whisking until thick and mayonnaise-like. Season with salt.
07 - Ladle broth with seafood into warm bowls. Garnish with fresh parsley. Serve alongside toasted baguette slices brushed with olive oil and a generous dollop of rouille.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes like you spent all day cooking when you really just spent an hour being present and attentive.
  • The rouille—that silky, garlicky, saffron-kissed sauce—transforms everything it touches into something restaurant-worthy.
  • It's a showstopper that actually brings people together around the table in a way ordinary meals don't.
02 -
  • Do not overcook the seafood—it will turn rubbery and sad; the moment the mussels open is the moment everything else is done.
  • The rouille needs patience; rush the oil in and it breaks, and no amount of whisking will save it.
03 -
  • Toast saffron threads lightly in a dry pan before steeping them; it deepens their flavor and brings out earthiness that tastes like the Mediterranean itself.
  • Save any extra rouille and dollop it on seafood pasta or grilled fish all week—it's liquid gold.
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