Creole Bouillon

About Creole Bouillon

Creole Bouillon is a classic dish that originates from the vibrant culinary traditions of Louisiana, USA. It's a flavorful stew often centered around seafood, enriched with a mix of spices that echo the French, African, and Spanish influences that define Creole cuisine. Ideal for family gatherings and celebrations, this dish captures the very essence of Creole culinary culture.

Ingredients

• Fish (such as red snapper or grouper) - 2 pounds, cleaned and cut into chunks
• Shrimp - 1 pound, peeled and deveined
• Onions - 2 large, chopped
• Garlic - 5 cloves, minced
• Bell Peppers - 2 (1 red, 1 green), diced
• Celery - 3 stalks, diced
• Avocado - 1 sliced
• Yams - 2 medium, peeled and diced
• Thyme - 1 teaspoon, freshly chopped
• Bay Leaves - 2
• Tomatoes - 4 cups, diced
• Cayenne Pepper - 1/2 teaspoon
• Cayenne Pepper - additional teaspoon for spice adjustment
• Oregano - 1 teaspoon
• Chicken Broth - 4 cups
• Butter - 3 tablespoons
• Lemon - 1 juiced
• Salt and Black Pepper to taste
• Rice to serve
• Parsley - freshly chopped for garnish
• Hot Sauce - optional, for serving

Preparation

1. Begin by preparing the yams. Peel and dice them into small, even pieces to ensure even cooking.
2. Squeeze the juice from the lemon over the fish chunks and shrimp to add a hint of acidity and help to tenderize.
3. Chop the onions, garlic, bell peppers, and celery. Ensure all vegetables are uniformly diced.
4. In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat.

Cooking Process

1. Add the chopped onions and garlic to the pot. Stir frequently and cook until the onions become translucent, about 5 minutes.
2. Add the bell peppers and celery. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Introduce the tomatoes into the mix and stir to combine.
4. Sprinkle in the thyme, bay leaves, oregano, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper.
5. Pour in the chicken broth. Stir well and bring to a simmer.
6. Add the cubed yams to the pot. Cover and let the mixture cook for about 15 minutes or until the yams are slightly tender.
7. Once the yams are ready, add the lemon-juiced fish and shrimp chunks.
8. Continue to simmer gently for another 8-10 minutes or until the fish is cooked through and the stew has thickened slightly.
9. Adjust seasoning with additional salt, black pepper, and cayenne for more heat if desired.

Cooking Time

Total preparation and cooking time should take approximately 60 minutes. Use a convenient cooking timer to stay on track.

How to Enjoy Creole Bouillon

Serve the Creole Bouillon over a bed of hot rice. Garnish with fresh parsley and sliced avocado for added creaminess. Offer hot sauce on the side for those who prefer extra spice. This dish pairs beautifully with a fresh lemon wedge to squeeze on top, balancing the flavors with an acidic touch.