Bistro des Z'Artes

Serves 6

Ingredients

50g Bacon cubed

30g Butter

1 Onion in small cubes

1 Carrot in small cubes

1 Leek in small cubes

1 Potato in small cubes

A sprig of fresh thyme

1 bay leaf

30g  Flour

1 ltr of fresh fish stock or 1 ltr water with a good quality fish stock cube

200ml fresh cream

200g mixed  cubed fresh fish and seafood

Salt and pepper to taste

Method

1.    In a heavy bottomed  pan fry the  bacon in the butter for 2 minutes, add the thyme, bay leaf and  all the vegetables except the potatoes and sweat for a further 5 minutes.

2.    Add a spoon of flour and mix well so as not to stick. This needs to be cooked for 2-3 minutes while stirring continuously to take away the raw flour flavor.

3.    Add in the fish stock a little at a time always stirring to remove the lumps from the last addition.

4.    Bring to a boil & add the cream & the potato (still being careful that the soup doeas not stick to the bottom of the pot).

5.    Simmer for 5 minutes, season with salt & freshly ground black pepper and add the fish & seafood.

6.    Cook for a further 2 minutes after it reaches a boil & serve with great fresh irish soda bread.