FISH SOUP WITH PASTA

FISH SOUP WITH PASTA

This colourful soup has all the flavour of the Mediterranean. Serve it as a main course for a deliciously filling lunch.

Ingredients:(serves 4)

1. 2 tbsp olive oil.

2. 1 onion sliced.

3. 1 garlic clove crushed.

4. 1 leek sliced.

5. 4 cups of water.

6. 225g chopped tomatoes.

7. 1.5 ml saffron strands

8. 1 cup dried small pasta shapes about 8 live mussels in the shell.

9. 450 g filleted and skinned white fish especially vekti, salt and black pepper.

For the Rouille sauce.

a) 2 garlic cloves, crushed

b) 1 canned pimiento, drained and chopped.

c) 1 tbsp fresh white breadcrumbs.

d. 4 tbsp mayonnaise.

e) toasted french bread, to serve

Method:

1. Heat the oil in a large sauce pan and add the onion, garlic and leek. Cover and cook gently for 5 min. Stirring until the vegetables are soft.

2. Pour the water, the tomatoes, herbs, saffron, if using, and pasta. Season with salt and ground black pepper and cook for 15-20 mins.

3. Scrub the mussels and pull of the beards. Discard any that will not close when sharp;y tapped.

SCRUBBING OF MUSSELS

4. Cut the fish into bite size chunks and add soup in the saucepan, placing the mussels on the top. Then simmer with the lid on for 5-10 mins until the mussels open and fish is just cooked. Discard any unopened mussels.

FISHES -BITE SIZED CHUNKS

5. To make the rouille pound the garlic, canned pimiento and bread crumbs together in a pestle and mortar(or in a blender). Then stir in the mayonnaise and season the mixture well.

6. Spread the toasted French bread with the rouille and serve the slices with the soup. 

READY TO SERVE THE SOUP WITH TOAST