Bourride with Lemon Aïoli

A luxurious French fish stew featuring tender chunks of halibut in a rich saffron-infused broth, finished with a creamy lemon aioli sauce. This elegant dish combines leeks, fennel, and carrots with delicate seafood flavors and bright citrus notes.

8 servings
55 min

Ingredients

  • 1 portion Lemon Aioli
  • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
  • ½ teaspoon saffron threads
  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 5 cups chopped leeks
  • 2 large fennel bulbs
  • 2 large carrots
  • 4 leaves Turkish bay leaves
  • 3 tablespoons orange peel
  • cups clam juice or fish stock
  • 4 pounds halibut fillets
  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 1 bunch chervil sprigs

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Transfer 1 1/3 cups aioli to medium bowl; reserve remaining aioli. Mix lemon juice and saffron in small bowl; set aside.

    5 min

  2. 2.

    Heat oil in large pot over medium heat. Add leeks, fennel, and carrots; sauté 10 minutes. Stir in bay leaves and orange peel, then clam juice and lemon-saffron mixture. Bring to boil over medium-high heat. Add fish; reduce heat to medium. Simmer until fish is opaque in center, occasionally spooning liquid over fish to submerge if necessary, about 8 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer fish to large bowl; cover.

    20 min

  3. 3.

    Boil liquid in pot 10 minutes to reduce slightly. Whisk 1/2 cup reduced liquid into bowl with 1 1/3 cups aioli, then whisk in egg yolks. Return yolk-aioli mixture to remaining liquid in pot. Using wooden spoon, stir constantly over medium-low heat until sauce thickens slightly, about 7 minutes (do not boil). Remove from heat. Season with salt and pepper. Stir fish and any accumulated juices into hot sauce in pot; let stand until fish is heated through, about 5 minutes.

    25 min

  4. 4.

    Divide bourride among 8 shallow bowls. Garnish with chervil sprigs, if desired. Serve remaining aioli alongside.

    5 min