Dish: Flemish Fish Waterzooi

This is a flavorful fish stew which is a great favorite of the Flemings who live in the north of Belgium and have their own distinctive cookery.

Recipe

2 pounds white-fleshed fish fillets (cod, haddock, flounder).

1 quart water.

2 cups dry white wine.

2 medium carrots, scraped and sliced.

2 medium leeks, white parts only, cleaned and sliced.

1 medium bay leaf.

Half teaspoon dried thyme.

1 fourth teaspoon ground cloves.

4 parsley sprigs.

Salt, Pepper to taste.

1 lemon, sliced.

3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley.

The Cooking

Cut the fish into good-sized chunks and put in a large kettle with the water, wine, carrots, leeks, bay leaf, thyme, cloves, parsley, salt, and pepper and bring to boil. Lower the heat and simmer the fish, covered, about 20 minutes. Add the lemon slices 5 minutes before the stew is finished cooking.

Remove and discard the bay leaf and parsley sprigs. Serve garnished with the chopped parsley. Serves 6.