Billi Bi Soup From Pierre Franey Of The New York Times Recipes

BILLI BI SOUP FROM PIERRE FRANEY OF THE NEW YORK TIMES

Steps:

• Scrub the mussels well to remove all exterior sand and dirt.
• Place them in a large kettle with the shallots, onions, parsley, salt, black pepper, cayenne, wine, butter, bay leaf and thyme.
• Cover and bring to a boil.
• Simmer 5-10 minutes, or until the mussels have opened.
• Discard any mussels that do not open.
• Strain the liquid through a double thickness of cheesecloth.
• Reserve the mussels for another use or remove them from the shells and use them as a garnish.
• Bring the liquid in the saucepan to a boil and add the cream.
• Retirn to boil and remove from the heat.
• Add the beaten egg yolk and return to the heat long enough for the soup to thicken slightly.
• DO NOT BOIL.
• Serve hot or cold.
• This dish may be enriched, if desired, by stirring 2 TBS of hollandaise sauce into the soup before it is served.

BILLI BI

Steps:

• Scrub mussels well to remove dirt and, if necessary, remove beards.
• Place mussels in large saucepan or Dutch oven and add shallots, onions, parsley, salt, pepper, cayenne, wine, butter, bay leaf and thyme. Cover and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat and simmer 8 to 10 minutes, or until mussels have opened. Discard any that have not opened.
• Strain liquid through a colander lined with cheesecloth and reserve; this is the base for the soup.
• When cool enough to handle, remove mussels from shells and reserve. Discard shells and aromatics.
• Bring reserved liquid to a low boil in a small saucepan. Add cream and return mixture almost to a boil, then remove from heat. Let cool slightly then add egg yolk and stir to combine. Return saucepan to heat and let thicken slightly. (Do not boil.)
• Taste and adjust seasoning. To serve, arrange mussels in center of large soup dishes and spoon liquid over them. Sprinkle with chopped parsley.

PIERRE FRANEY'S FISH SOUP

Steps:

• Cut the fish into 1 1/2-inch cubes. Set aside.
• Put the tomatoes and their liquid into the container of a food processor, and process until fine. Or put them through a food mill. Set aside.
• Shell and devein the shrimp and set aside. Scrub the mussels well and set aside.
• Heat the oil in a fairly deep skillet or small kettle, and add the onions. Cook, stirring, until wilted. Add the celery and green pepper. Cook, stirring, about 5 minutes, and add the wine and bay leaf. Cook down about 1 minute. Add the tomatoes, thyme and hot red pepper. Add salt and pepper. Let simmer about 12 minutes.
• Add the fish and mussels. Push the solids down into the sauce. Cook over high heat about 3 minutes. Add the shrimp, and immerse them in the sauce. Let cook about 1 minute, and sprinkle with garlic and parsley. Stir and let simmer about 3 minutes longer.