Poached Oysters In Fennel Saffron Soup Recipes

SEAFOOD IN SAFFRON BROTH

Steps:

• Trim fennel stalks flush with bulb, discarding stalks. Finely chop fennel and onion. Seed tomato and finely chop. Mince garlic. Scrub mussels well and remove beards. Shell shrimp and devein. Cut scrod into 1-inch pieces. Stir saffron into wine.
• In a 4-quart kettle cook fennel and onion in oil over moderate heat, stirring, until slightly softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add wine mixture and simmer until reduced to about 1 tablespoon, about 3 minutes. Add mussels with 1/2 cup stock and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until most mussels are opened, about 2 minutes. Add shrimp, scrod, tomato, and remaining 2 1/2 cups stock and cook at a bare simmer until fish is just cooked through, about 2 minutes. (Discard any unopened mussels.) Season mixture with salt and pepper.
• Divide seafood between 2 bowls and ladle broth over it. Garnish seafood with lemon wedges and serve with bread.

SEAFOOD IN FENNEL BROTH

Steps:

• Preheat a wood-burning or regular oven to 500 degrees. (If using a regular oven, set rack in lowest position and line with a pizza stone or metal baking sheet.)
• In a large ovenproof braiser pan or straight-sided skillet, combine oil, butter, chopped fennel, shallots, garlic, and 1 teaspoon salt. Roast (on pizza stone, if using) until vegetables sizzle and turn golden in places, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in paprika, cumin, and coriander; roast 1 minute more. Add vermouth; roast until reduced slightly, about 2 minutes. Add clam stock and clams; cover and roast until clams open, about 5 minutes.
• Transfer clams to a bowl, discarding any unopened ones; cover to keep warm. Gently stir fish, shrimp, and beans into pan; continue roasting, stirring once, until fish is just cooked through and shrimp are opaque, about 5 minutes more. Remove from oven. Stir in lemon juice, return clams to pan, sprinkle with parsley and fennel fronds, and serve.

SAFFRON SOUP

Steps:

• Melt butter in a heavy-bottom soup kettle. Add onions, garlic and saffron and cook over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until onions are softened. Do not let onions brown.
• Bring chicken stock to a boil. Add bread crumbs to onions and stir to mix thoroughly. Add chicken stock and stir again. Bring soup to a boil and immediately lower heat and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes.
• Puree soup in a blender, food processor or fine-mesh food mill. Strain soup, discarding solids. Return to rinsed-out soup kettle. Add cream and lemon juice. Mix well and taste, adding salt and pepper if desired. May be served immediately, or chilled and served as a summer soup.

POACHED OYSTERS IN FENNEL-SAFFRON SOUP

Steps:

• Melt butter in heavy medium skillet over medium heat. Add fennel and sauté until golden, about 10 minutes. Add 1 cup water; cover and cook until fennel is very tender, about 20 minutes. Puree fennel mixture in processor. Set aside.
• Heat oil in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and saffron; sauté 1 minute. Add clam juice, cream, and Pernod and bring to simmer. Add fennel puree and bring to simmer. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Refrigerate uncovered until cold. Cover and keep refrigerated. Simmer before continuing.) Add oysters with their liquor to cream mixture and stir to heat through. Ladle soup into bowls.