Name: Fishermen's Soup
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 2 leeks (white and light green parts), cut into 1/4-inch-thick half-moons; 2 cloves garlic, sliced; 1 small fennel bulb, quartered and sliced; 0.33 cup dry sherry; 1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes; 0.25 teaspoon crushed red pepper; kosher salt; 1 pound skinless halibut fillet or some other firm white fish, cut into 2-inch pieces; 0.5 pound mussels, scrubbed; 1 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped; 0.5 cup mixed olives

Our take on Hungary's tomato-and-paprika-based folk dish features halibut and mussels.

Sara Quessenberry

Updated on September 1, 2016

Quick Dinner Ideas: Fishermen’s Soup — Photo: Marcus Nilsson

Hands On Time:

15 mins

Total Time:

35 mins

Yield:

4 serves

Jump to Nutrition Facts

A staple in coastal cuisines across the globe, seafood-based soup is often served as a means for using less popular fish. In Southern France, for example, bouillabaisse combines several types of fish simmered over the stove. Our version is a take on deep-red Hungarian fisherman’s soup, which get its color from tomatoes and paprika. Traditionally, fisherman prepared this soup over an open fire along a river bank, and then served it directly from the kettle with bread.

While Hungarians commonly used river fish (including heads and tails)—carp, catfish, perch, and pike—our recipe features halibut fillets and mussels, both widely available at grocery stores. We bolster the seafood with complex flavor from leeks, fennel, diced tomatoes, and crushed red pepper. Serve with mixed olives for a flavorful accompaniment that evokes crashing waves and salty sea air.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 leeks (white and light green parts), cut into ¼-inch-thick half-moons
2 cloves garlic, sliced
1 small fennel bulb, quartered and sliced
⅓ cup dry sherry
1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 pound skinless halibut fillet (or other firm white fish), cut into 2-inch pieces
½ pound mussels, scrubbed
1 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped
½ cup mixed olives

Directions

Heat oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat, and then add leeks, garlic, and fennel. Cook, stirring occasionally, until just softened, 3 to 4 minutes.
Add sherry, tomatoes and their juices, red pepper, and salt. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
Add fish and mussels, and then simmer gently until the fish is cooked through and mussels have opened, 4 to 5 minutes.
Stir in parsley and serve with olives.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

428	Calories
24g	Fat
28g	Carbs
28g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Calories 428
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 24g	31%
Saturated Fat 4g	20%
Cholesterol 72mg	24%
Sodium 1495mg	65%
Total Carbohydrate 28g	10%
Total Sugars 23g
Protein 28g

*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.