Italian Fish Soup

Lots of fresh Italian parsley gives this clear broth based soup

a fresh bright taste. 

Most Italian soups are tomato or possibly cream based.

Sometimes it is nice to have just a simple broth with a clean

taste of vegetables and herbs.

This soup is quick to put together, yet it has a complex

taste by adding many different liquids.

Add the white fish of your choice, but keep it simple, this is 

what would be in old Italy considered food of the peasants or poor.

As Always,

ENJOY!

INGREDIENTS

1/2 onion

3 carrots

3 celery ribs

2 bay leafs

1 sprig fresh thyme

2 cloves garlic

2 medium potatoes

6 cups seafood stock

1 bottle clam juice

2 cups dry white wine

1/2 lb.  raw large shrimp with shell

1 - 1 1/2 lbs. fresh white fish (cod, rockfish, talapia, snapper, etc.)

1/2 cup chopped fresh Italian flat leaf parsley

olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

   Shell shrimp, save raw shrimp for a different dish.  Place a drizzle of olive oil in a small pot heat on medium, add shrimp shells.  Cook until bright orange.  Deglaze pan with 1 cup white wine, bring to a boil and add 1 cup water.  Lower heat and simmer 15-20 min.  

   In a large pot, drizzle with olive oil, turn to med. high heat.  In food processor, add onion and garlic, chop until fine.  Add to hot pot.  Stir, but don't let burn. Next add carrots to processor and chop fine, add this also to the pot.  Next add celery to processor and chop to fine, add this to the pot as well. 

 Cook these vegetables for 3- 5 minutes, until soft.  Add 1 cup white wine, bay leaves, and thyme and salt and pepper. Cook for a few minutes.  Now add clam juice, and strained shrimp liquid. 

     Peel potatoes, and cut into very small cubes.  Add this to the pot.  cook 5-10 minutes until potatoes are just tender.  Cut white fish into very small cubes, add this to the pot, and lower temperature to med/low. Simmer the fish for a few minutes.  Add chopped parsley.  Slowly add in seafood stock, keeping the pot at a low simmer.  simmer for 15-20 minutes more, until fish is very tender and flavors have blended well.  Taste, and adjust seasoning if necessary.

   Serve with Rustic Italian bread!