Grandpa's Fish Soup

It was on one of my phone conversations with my father when he mentioned nostalgically his father’s Fish Soup.  I was surprised. Despite the fact that I had never met my grandfather and only knew him from the stories I’ve heard about him, I had no clue he cooked. It just did not sit well with the image of a Yemeni man. Apparently he loved to cook and this DNA has been spreading widely in our growing tribe. I asked my father to make the soup based on what he remembered and share the recipe with me. Here is my version of the recipe.

Prep time: 25 minutes

Serves: 4 people

1 onion - chopped

5 garlic cloves - chopped

1 bell red pepper - chopped

1 lb/ ½ kilo white fish fillet (I used True Cod) – cut in to cubes

3 tbsp tomato paste

½ cup basil – chopped

½ cup parsley – chopped

½ cup green onion -chopped

3 tbsp oil

1 tbsp turmeric

1 tbsp sweet paprika

½ tsp coriander powder

¼ tsp cumin

½ tsp cayenne pepper

salt and pepper

1quart/ 1 litter vegetable stock

1 lime

On a medium heat sauté onion, garlic, bell red pepper with oil and spices for 5 minutes with a closed lid.

Add tomato past and vegetable stock and bring for a boil with an open lid – about 10  minutes. 

Add fish, cover the pot, and cook for 3 minutes.

Turn off the heat, add herbs to the soup, cover pot, and let sit for 2 minutes.

Serve with a slice of lime.