Ingredients
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1 sprig thyme
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1 1/2 kg monkfish or 1 1/2 kg other firm white fish fillets
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1/2 liter olive oil, approx
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3 tomatoes, chopped roughly
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13 garlic cloves, peeled & diced
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1 orange, zest of, grated
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1/2 teaspoon saffron
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2 glasses white wine
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1/2 lemon, juice of
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3 egg yolks
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salt and black pepper
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2 onions, chopped roughly
Instructions
- In a large pan bring to the boil the roughly chopped tomatoes and onions, 5 cloves of garlic, the thyme, saffron & orange zest.
- Add 2 tablespoons of the olive oil & one glass of white wine plus 1 litre of water.
- Simmer for 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, pound the remaining garlic to a puree in a pestle and mortar (or liquidise it if you are feeling lazy).
- Blend in 2 egg yolks and add salt and pepper.
- Gradually beat in the remaining olive oil in a thin stream, using a whisk, until you feel the aioli is thick enough.
- Add lemon juice to taste and leave on one side. (Reward yourself for your efforts by drinking the other glass of wine!).
- Cut the skinned and boned fish into 1" chunks and add it to the saucepan.
- Poach for 15 minutes.
- Then remove the fish with a draining spoon and keep warm.
- Sieve the stock and discard the *vegetables.
- Return the stock to the pan and reheat gently.
- Take about half of the aioli and beat the remaining egg yolk into it. Then slowly pour the warmed stock onto it, stirring constantly.
- Return this mixture to the pan and heat gently, stirring all the time, until it thickens slightly.
- It should be like rather thin custard. Don't let it boil, or it will curdle.
- Divide the cooked fish between serving bowls and pour the soup over it.
- Serve with thin slices of toasted French bread and the remaining aioli.
- NOTE: I serve the *vegetables - tomatoes, onions & garlic on the side as an extra vegetable.