Psarosoupa. I think it was every Greek kid's nightmare growing up . Now I devour it when the weather gets cold. This classic Greek style fish soup is a definite keeper in the cooler months.
This psarosoupa recipe falls into the "I hated this as a kid" category! I would even go as far and say that I despised it! And to use an old cliche "boy do things change!".
Psarosoupa literally means fish soup. It's a simple dish of boiled vegetables and fish.
The veggies are usually a combination of carrots, celery, leeks and potatoes. They create a light stock which are then removed and the fish is cooked in the stock along with olive oil.
I like to mash up half the cooked veggies which gives the soup a nice natural thickness.
I've seen versions with rice and even tomatoes and next time I plan on experimenting with these options a little more.
When choosing a fish make sure to go for something that's a little firm such as red mullet, snapper or cod.
This is a hearty soup almost bordering on a stew. It's surprisingly light yet quite filling. I'll admit that seafood isn't my first choice when cooking at home and I'm still kind of scared by it!
Anyway, hope you enjoy this winter warming "soupa" (as we say in Greek!).
Enjoy the weekend and see you next week.
Scroll down for the psarosoupa recipe.
"Psarosoupa"- Greek Style Fish Soup
Ingredients
- 3 carrots, cut into even chunks approx. 2cm each
- 2 celery stalks, cut into even pieces approx. 2cm each
- 1 leek, finely sliced
- 1 red onion, cut into eighths
- 2 potatoes, medium-sized, cut into even pieces approx. 2cm each
- 10 peppercorns, whole
- 6 parsley stalks
- 1.25 litres water
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 120 ml olive oil, extra virgin
- 600 g fish fillets, red mullet, snapper, cod
- juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoon parsley, finely chopped
Instructions
- Place the carrots, celery, leek, onions, potatoes, peppercorns and parsley stalks along with the water in a large pot over medium-high heat. Season with salt and allow the mixture to come to boil and then simmer it on a low heat for approx. 20mins until the carrots and potatoes are just tender.
- Pour the stock in a new pot and strain the veggies using a fine sieve and place them on a plate discarding the peppercorns and parsley stalks.
- Place half the veggies back into the stock and mash roughly with a fork. Add the olive oil and fish fillets and allow the soup to come to a boil.
- Simmer for 20-30 mins depending on how thick your fish fillets are and add the lemon juice. Stir and remove from the heat.
- Place cooked veggies and fish pieces along with the soup in individual bowls and serve immediately garnished with freshly chopped parsley.
Nutrition
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
© Souvlaki For the Soul
supal {chevrons & éclairs}
Oh this seems so clean and self-healing of a recipe. It's perfect for summer! x
john | heneedsfood
Nice and rustic, just the way I like my soup. Yum!
Gaby Mora
Sometimes I forget Greeks have great fish dishes, too. Looks delish and nourishing.
norma
I so enjoy coming across your posts.
Helen (grabyourfork)
This sounds gorgeous. I never think to make fish soup but I love the sound of this!
Maureen Shaw
My mother and grandmother made a French version of this when I was a kid and I did everything I could think of so I wouldn't have to eat it. After all these years, I'd love a bowl right now!
AmandaChewTown
That looks like a perfect soup for this weather. I concur, I'm not normally a fish soup cooker, but I could definitely be persuaded with this!
Toula Tsesmelis Milorad Ricov
Grew up on psarosoupa, Just love it and cant wait to make this. My mother used to make it often and it's been awhile since I have made it myself!!
Sara (Belly Rumbles)
Seafood isn't high on my kitchen cook list, but wow this looks good.
Jason
Great recipe but start with 1/4 lemon and work your way up. Also maybe let the veggies simmer longer than the potatoes, deepen it a bit with powdered onion or a bouillon cube. Otherwise a great soup.
Peter G
Thank you for offering those suggestions!
Anna Pelonis-Mills
This soup is incredible as written & reminds me of my parents’ psarosoupa growing up. I also add a bit of rice & lemon, & sometimes I add in shrimp, for a heartier soup, like my late beloved parents did.