Bouillabaisse-Style Fish Stew
A Provençal-inspired fish stew simmered with tomatoes, fennel, and saffron, featuring a medley of fresh sea scallops and mussels. This mediterranean-inspired soups ready in about 30 minutes pairs trimmed sea scallops, cleaned mussels, medium, thinly sliced fennel for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.
Ingredients
- 200g, trimmed sea scallops
- 300g, cleaned mussels
- 1 medium, thinly sliced fennel
- 2 medium, diced tomatoes
- 1/4 tsp saffron threads
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a heavy pot over medium heat. Add 1 medium thinly sliced fennel and cook for 5 minutes until softened.
- Step 2: Stir in 2 medium diced tomatoes and cook for 3 minutes until tomatoes break down.
- Step 3: Add 200g trimmed sea scallops and 300g cleaned mussels, then pour in 1/2 cup dry white wine and 1/4 tsp saffron threads. Simmer uncovered for 8 minutes, shaking the pot occasionally, until mussels open.
- Step 4: Remove scallops and mussels with a slotted spoon, discard any unopened mussels. Return seafood to the pot, simmer for 2 more minutes, then stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Bouillabaisse-Style Fish Stew take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Bouillabaisse-Style Fish Stew?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep trimmed sea scallops from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Bouillabaisse-Style Fish Stew?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Bouillabaisse-Style Fish Stew for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Bouillabaisse-Style Fish Stew?
Mediterranean soups like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Perfect for a cold evening; the flavors were authentic and the fish cooked to perfection.
- ★★★★★
The saffron really elevated the dish, and my family couldn't get enough.
- ★★★★☆
Cooked it for my husband's birthday; the stew was delicious, but took longer than the recipe said.
