My Soups Collection
I have lost count of how many times I’ve heard:
“Fish soup? No, thank you!”
For many people, this dish means boiled potatoes, carrots, onions, rice, and a sad tin of salmon or saury floating somewhere in the middle. I want to show you that there are other ways — not just one or two, but many. Let me introduce you to the fish soups I cook at home at least a couple of times a month I used to travel to France quite often but now I live here as well. I live in a wonderful part of the country, in Finistere, or French land’s end. If you’ve ever been to a French supermarket, you’ve probably seen the jars of fish soup purée in the seafood section. They’re not bad — quite tasty, actually — but I prefer fresh food and rarely use anything from a tin. Still, that very jarred soup was what inspired this recipe. Whenever I go shopping, I can’t walk past the fish counter. I love buying whole, uncleaned fish — the fishmongers adore me for it, because they don’t have to do any work. I usually buy… well, everything, really. I love fish and seafood, and I am very lucky to be living by the Atlantic.
My notes
My recipes are alive — they grow and change with me. I cook them for myself, my family and my guests, and they’re never exactly the same twice. I add things, remove things, discover new spices, find easier techniques… This is simply how I cook.
This recipe notes:
I always wash vegetables, especially leeks. Who wants sand in their soup? I wash them but rarely peel them — less work, less waste.
Just some facts about me:
I can never walk past a fishmonger without stopping. I always buy whole fish — the sellers love me for it, because they don’t have to do any filleting. I buy whatever looks good that day; I simply love fish and seafood. Shopping for fish is never just shopping for me. Whether I’m in Cornwall or Finistère, it’s a small social ritual — greeting the familiar faces behind the counter, chatting with the fishmonger, asking what they recommend today. I don’t rush it. I enjoy it. It’s one of the quiet pleasures of my day.