Alsatian Fish Stew (Matelote de poissons d'Alsace)
- Yield
- 6
Ingredients
- 1 lb filet of pike
- 1 lb filet of carp
- ½ lb eel
- 1 lb filet of perch
- 6 crayfish
- 2 shallots, finely minced
- Salt
- Heads and tails of the above fish to make a broth
- 1 cup Riesling wine (or other dry white wine)
- 1 oz white granulated sugar
- 1 oz butter
- 1 oz flour
- ½ cup cream
- 1 bouquet garni
- Pepper
- Croutons
- 1 clove garlic
- 4 oz (½ cup) grelot onions (may substitute Mexican green onions)
- 4 oz (½ cup) fresh white mushrooms
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Method
- Wash the fish and remove any remaining debris. Cut the fish into approximately 2 oz pieces.
- Place fish and crayfish in a buttered baking dish. Add the finely minced shallots. Salt lightly.
- Prepare a fumet with the fish heads and tails, the Riesling, 1 quart water, the bouquet garni and the garlic, salt and pepper. Simmer for 30 minutes.
- Strain the boiling fish stock over the pieces of fish in the baking dish. Cover with aluminum foil.
- Place in the oven at 450°F. Bake for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven.
- Place the stock in a casserole or a cocotte en fonte (Dutch oven). Mix the butter with the flour. Add this to the liquid, stirring well to avoid lumps. Reduce to the desired thickness.
- Add the cream, and heat gently until it comes to the boil. Stop the cooking and strain through a chinois.
- Arrange the pieces of fish on a well-heated plate and coat with sauce.
- Sauté the onions and mushrooms. Add this mixture to the plate with a few croûtons rubbed with garlic.
- Add one crayfish per plate.
- Sprinkle with chopped parsley.
Notes
- As an accompaniment, serve with Nouilles fraîches à l'Alsacienne (fresh Alsatian noodles), or steamed potatoes.
- A dry Riesling will enhance the flavour of the different fishes.