Marseille Bouillabaisse a Provencal Classic
Ginger and Nutmeg · Provencal Recipes · TasteWhat is your favourite fish soup?
Residents of Marseille are adamant that French fishermen eked basic sustenance from their unsightly leftover fish bits concocted this fish broth/soup/stew on the shores of the now sprawling metropolis. The name for this dish is derived from two actions bouillir (to boil) and abaisser (to reduce or simmer). However, in the intense world of “Iron-chef” gastronomy, the origins of bouillabaisse are up for debate. Continue reading here to learn about the origins of this Marseillais classic and for the recipe.
Marseille Classic Bouillabaisse
Ideally, a bouillabaisse should be prepared for at least 6 to 7 people, allowing the cook to purchase a wider variety of fish. Below is the luxury version of the traditional recipe, as it differs from the original fishermen who were simply recuperating the damaged and unsold parts.
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Fish Soup
- 4 1/2 lbs small fish such as bream, bass, haddock, mullet or gurnard
- 2 1/4 lbs fish trimmings and bones including the heads
- 2 leeks
- 1 medium onion
- 2 large ripe tomatoes
- 4 tbsp tomato paste
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1 tsp saffron threads
- 3-4 dried fennel branches
- 2 bay leaves dried
- salt and black pepper
- olive oil
For the Rouille
- 1/4 cup oil ½ olive oil and ½ sunflower oil
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tsp mustard
- lemon juice from ½ of a fresh lemon
- 1/2 tsp saffron threads
- 1 tsp paprika
For the Bouillabaisse
- 4-6 lb assorted rockfish 1/2-3/4lb (300-400g) per person - see note below
- 2 medium onions
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 medium potatoes per person
- 2 large ripe tomatoes Beefsteak or Cœur d'Antan a Provencal variety
- 2 tsp saffron threads
- 2 dried fennel branches
- 2 bay leaves dried
- olive oil
- salt and black pepper
- 1 tbsp Pastis
Instructions
For the Fish Soup
- Clean and cut the leeks and the onions and brown them in a large stock pot on high in 4 tablespoons of olive oil.
- Add the roughly chopped tomatoes, the bay leaves, fennel branches, crushed garlic, 4 tablespoons concentrated tomato paste.
- After about 5 minutes of stirring, add the small fish, the trimmings, bones and heads.
- Keep stirring above on high heat for 5 minutes add salt and pepper.
- Add 2 liters of hot water and a dose of saffron. Once the pot is boiling, turn the heat to low-medium for an extra 15 minutes. Then allow to cool.
- After it has cooled, strain the liquid into a pot. Retain the bones, fish heads, branches, etc., in a strainer (China cap strainer works best).
- To maximize the flavour press remaining liquid out of the leftover bits using a pestle or heavy spoon. Empty your strainer from the more solid parts, and repeat.
- The slightly cloudy liquid is considered the soup, the base for the fish. The soup is delicious on its own as the flavour is quite intense.
For the Rouille
- In a small mixing bowl, add the egg yolk (at ambient temperature).
- Add salt and one teaspoon of mustard.
- Mix the ingredients together, and add the oil pouring very slowly. It is important to always keeping stirring with a fork or a whisk while you are adding the oil.
- Before you finish adding the oil, add the lemon juice, the crushed garlic, saffron, paprika and pepper.
- Sample the rouille and add more of the spices to suit your taste.
- Set aside in the fridge for later.
For the Bouillabaisse
- In a large stock pot (large enough to have all of your bigger fish laying flat), spread successively the following ingredients laying flat.
- First the thinly sliced onions and the crushed garlic with olive oil, then the potatoes sliced ½ cm (1/5 of an inch), fennel branches, bay leaves, the peeled and thinly sliced tomatoes, saffron and pastis.
- Add salt and pepper.
- Add the hard flesh fish on top of the above ingredients. On a high heat leave leave the pot 5 to 10 minutes without stirring, but lightly shaking the pot to avoid burning the onions.
- Pour the re-heated soup (step #1) over the fish to cover. If there is not enough add a little water. The timing for cooking is now crucial.
- When the soup in the pot is boiling, lower the heat to medium (to a light boiling) for 5 minutes.
- Then add the tender fleshed fish (they should be covered by the soup as well). Cook for another 5 minutes.
- Check if your fish is cooked (white to the bone). If not, put it back in the warm soup for a few extra minutes.
- Remove the fish as they are cooked and keep warm.
- Remove the potato slices and set aside (keep warm).
- Filter the soup through a strainer to recuperate the soup only.
- On table set the soup, the fish with potatoes and the Rouille.
- Some will prefer starting with the soup, adding garlic croutons topped with rouille and grated cheese, and finishing with the fish. Others will have their fish and potatoes sauced with the soup, using rouille as a mustard.
Notes
Note for the fish: Select 300 to 400 grams per persons for the bigger fish.Ideally a mixture of fish with a rather harder flesh such as: Red Rascasse fish, Sea Robin, capon fish, weever, Monkfish, and European conger. And, also a selection of fish with tender meat such as: roucaou, sea bass, Gilt head bream, St Peter (John Dory), whitingTry to buy different types of fish of a similar size (about 300 to 400 gr each) and as the fishmonger to clean and scaled the fish.Ideally with a Bouillabaisse serve a Bandol Rosé wine like Château de Pibarnon
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Legal
All rights reserved. Perfectly Provence articles and other content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten (including translations into other languages) or redistributed without written permission. For usage information, please contact us.
Syndication InformationAffiliate Information
As an Amazon Associate, this website earns from qualifying purchases. Some recipes, posts and pages may have affiliate links. If you purchase via these links, we receive a small commission that does not impact your price. Thank you in advance for supporting our work to maintain Perfectly Provence.
Related Provence Articles
Experience Pure Lavender Magic: Terre Ugo Near Aix-en-Provence
June 30, 2025
Terre Ugo is delighted to announce its 2025 summer program, set amidst picturesque lavender and sunflower fields. This enchanting 7-hectare family farm, situated on the outskirts of Aix-en-Provence in Puyricard, is teeming with 30,000 organic Lavender plants. From June 1 to August 31, the estate welcomes visitors daily from 10:00 am to 6:30 pm. Guests …
The Summer Truffle Festival in Aups is a Culinary Treat – Don’t Miss Out!
June 23, 2025
Located between the Mediterranean coast and the Alps, the village of Aups sits at 505 metres (1,657 ft). Considered the capital of the Haut-Var, this mid-sized town has a population of roughly 2200 residents. However, on a busy summer weekend, Aups attracts many visitors. It is considered the “gateway” to the Verdon Regional Natural Park, …
Make this Provencal Summer Menu Inspired by Seasonal Flavours
June 20, 2025
Cynthia Moos is a Provence native and the founder of Best French Forever, a lifestyle brand dedicated to women inspired by the Provençal art de vivre. Her mission is to invite women to slow down, reconnect with themselves, and curate a life they love. We asked Cynthia if she would curate our 2025 summer menu. …
Where to Eat in Provence? Domaine la Pierre Blanche is a Food Lovers’ Paradise
June 18, 2025
As the sun gracefully dips behind the Alpilles, the landscape is bathed in a gentle golden glow that dances across the grapevines, offering a prelude to an enchanting evening in Provence. This region’s luminous light, which has long captured the imaginations of celebrated artists, serves as a backdrop to the “Rosé Mule,” a tantalizing cocktail …
2 Comments
I’ve always wanted to make this dish! Do I have the gumption? :)
Hi Jill: I am a huge bouillabaisse fan. It is actually a pretty simple dish to make despite all the steps. However, I admit the first time I attempted it was in the kitchen of a friend who is also a chef. :-)