Fish Stew With Herbs

Ingredients

28 gr olive
1 onion
2 carrots
1 celery stalk leaves
2 garlic
525 gr italian tomatoes
70 gr fish
120 ml bottled clam juice
120 ml dry wine
140 gr garlic croutons
1 bay leaf
2 thyme sprigs
1 slice lemon peel
1 sprig of fennel fronds
4 black peppercorns

Instructions

If frozen, unwrap fish and allow to stand at room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes, or until soft enough to cut. With a sharp knife, cut into 5 cm cubes. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large, heavy saucepan. Add prepared onions, carrots and celery and saute, stirring, 3 to 5 minutes over medium heat. Add garlic and saute another 1 or 2 minutes. Add tomatoes (and their juices), stock and wine. Tie bouquet garni spices in a cheesecloth bag and attach with string to pot handle for easy removal. Place in tomato-wine mixture and let come to a boil, uncovered. Boil 5 to 10 minutes, then reduce heat to low. Add fish cubes and cover pot. Simmer 15 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork. Serve on top of garlic croutons in heated bowls, garnished with chopped fennel or parsley. Yield: 4 to 5 servings. From _Nancy Enright's Canadian Herb Cookbook_ by Nancy Enright. Toronto: James Lorimer & Company, 1985. Pg. 44. ISBN 0-88862-788-2.