bourride provencale with aioli

7 Pinches 1 Photo
Surrey South, BC
Updated on Mar 25, 2025

Satisfying and comforting, this French soup is so tasty! With flavorful ingredients, this is a great meal to make.

prep time 20 Min
cook time 40 Min
method Stove Top
yield 4 serving(s)

Ingredients

  • 2 to 2 1/2 pounds white fish fillets, such as cod, halibut, monkfish, etc., patted dry and cut into 2-inch pieces
  • ground Himalayan pink salt, to taste and divided
  • freshly ground black pepper, to taste and divided (i always use mixed peppercorns)
  • 6 - stems parsley, leaves reserved for garnish
  • 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
  • 1 large bay leaf
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 leeks (about 3 cups), white parts only and diced
  • 1/2 cup yellow onions, diced
  • 1/2 cup celery, diced
  • 1/2 cup carrots, diced
  • 2 large cloves garlic, pressed
  • 3 large plum tomatoes (about 1 1/4 cups), seeded and diced
  • 1 1/2 cups dry white wine
  • 2 pounds yukon gold potatoes, scrubbed and diced into 3/4-inch pieces
  • 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth (substitute fish stock)
  • 1 teaspoon piment d'espelette, or to taste
  • 1 cup clam juice (substitute 1 dozen baby clams) (8 oz./236 ml)
  • 1/3 cup aïoli

How To Make bourride provencale with aioli

  • Step 1
    After patting them dry, generously season the fish fillets with salt and pepper. Cut fillets into 2-inch pieces and set aside.
  • Step 2
    Make a bouquet garni… Place parsley stems in a sachet or the center of a cheesecloth along with fennel seeds and bay leaf. Tie up the bag and make a knot or gather the sides of cheesecloth and tie it up with kitchen twine; set aside.
  • Step 3
    In a Dutch oven over medium, heat oil. Add leeks, onions, celery, and carrots; season with sea salt. Cook veggies for 10 minutes, stirring often.
  • Step 4
    Add pressed garlic and sauté for 30 seconds. Add tomatoes, white wine and season with black pepper. Stir well and cook until the liquid has reduced by half.
  • Step 5
    Add potatoes, chicken broth, bouquet garni and piment d’Espelette. Stir and bring the mixture to a boil. Cover, reduce back to medium, and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Step 6
    Pour in clam juice and add seasoned fish fillet pieces; push down to submerge the fish. Turn the heat to high and when it just starts bubbling, turn back to medium and simmer for 10 minutes.
  • Step 7
    Meanwhile make the Aïoli...
  • Step 8
    Using a slotted spoon, transfer fish pieces to a plate, remove the bouquet garni and discard it.
  • Step 9
    Check if potatoes are tender – if not, cook for 2 minutes longer.
  • Step 10
    Temper the garlic sauce by pouring in some of the hot fish liquid, in a slow stream, while whisking continuously before adding more until the Aïoli is tempered. Add it to the mixture and whisk until well incorporated
  • Step 11
    Spoon soup in warm bowls, place a few fish pieces on top (and clams if using them), garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve with crostini or crusty bread.
  • Step 12
    To view this comforting French soup on YouTube, click on this link ➡ https://youtu.be/NolFIY4n8jI

Discover More

Culture: French
Category: Fish Soups
Ingredient: Fish
Method: Stove Top

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