This is a French seafood soup that is delicate and delectable.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup each chopped onion and leek
4 cloves smashed garlic
2 or 3 large, ripe tomatoes, chopped or 2 cups canned
2 1/2 quarts water
Fresh herb sprigs: thyme, parsley, fennel fronds and basil (in any combination)
1/2 teaspoon crumbled saffron
1 tablespoon sea salt
3 - 4 pounds fish heads, bones, trimmings, shrimp shells
1 pound each: peeled shrimp (use the shells for the stock); wild cod, halibut or other flaky white fish, cut into large chunks; debearded, scrubbed mussels or clams
Crusty bread, sliced
Rouille:
1 roasted and peeled red bell pepper
1 roasted hot red chile pepper or ground cayenne pepper to taste
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 small peeled garlic clove
1/4 cup fresh bread crumbs or finely chopped almonds
1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves
Fine sea salt, about 1/2 teaspoon
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Soup:
Heat the oil in a tall pot (I use an 8 quart stockpot) over medium heat; add the onion and leek and cook gently until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for a minute until fragrant, then add the tomatoes, water, herbs, saffron, salt and fish bones and shrimp shells. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat so that the broth bubbles slowly without boiling.
Cook 30 minutes, then strain the broth into a large bowl or another pot and discard the solids.
Pour the broth back into the stockpot and bring to a boil. Add the shrimp and cook until they turn pink, a minute or two. Add the rest of the fish and shellfish, cover and simmer until the mussels or clams open (this will just take a few minutes).
Rouille:
Puree everything except for the olive oil in a food processor until smooth. Slowly add the olive oil while processing to form a paste.
Source: Mastering The Art Of French Cooking