Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup corn oil or 1/2 cup bacon fat
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large onions, peeled and chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped
  • 1 stalk celery, chopped
  • 1/2 green pepper, cored,seeded and chopped
  • 1 (16 ounce) can chopped tomatoes with juice
  • 1/3 cup tomato paste
  • 2 1/2 cups fish stock or 2 1/2 cups water
  • 1/2 cup dry red wine
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
  • 1/4 - 1/2 cayenne pepper
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 2 lbs skinless firm fish fillets, cut into large chunks (catfish, redfish, monkfish, turbot, halibut, haddock)
  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh chives or 3 tablespoons green scallion tops
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Method

  • Heat the oil in a large heavy pan, add the flour and cook, stirring, to make a medium brown roux (the color of peanut butter).
  • Add the onions, garlic, celery, and green pepper and cook until softened, stirring occasionally.
  • Stir in the tomatoes with their juice, the tomato paste, stock or water, wine, salt, peppers, cayenne to taste, lemon juice, bay leaves and thyme.
  • Bring to a boil, then simmer for 30 minutes, stirring frequently.
  • Add fish chunks and simmer 10 minutes longer.
  • Sprinkle with chives and parsley and serve hot.