A simple recipe for Julia Child's bouillabaisse, the classic French seafood soup. The delicious soup with a simple rouille is full of shellfish, seafood and fragrant tomatoes and can be made in less than an hour.
Heat the oil in a tall pot (I use an 8 quart stockpot) over medium heat; add the onion and leek and cook gently until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for a minute until fragrant, then add the tomatoes, water, herbs, orange peel, saffron, salt and fish bones and shrimp shells. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat so that the broth bubbles slowly without boiling.
Cook 30 minutes, then strain the broth into a large bowl or another pot and discard the solids.
Pour the broth back into the stockpot and bring to a boil. Add the shrimp and cook until they turn pink, a minute or two. Add the rest of the fish and shellfish, cover and simmer until the mussels or clams open (this will just take a few minutes).
Taste the soup and add more salt and freshly ground pepper if needed.
Make the rouille:
Puree everything except for the olive oil in a food processor until smooth. Slowly add the olive oil while processing to form a paste.
Toast the bread and brush with olive oil.
Serve the soup with bread and rouille.
Notes
For a heartier soup, serve over cooked broken vermicelli, orzo or other small pasta shape.
The broth can be prepared up to a day in advance. Store in the refrigerator and bring to a simmer. Add the seafood and cook as in Step 3.