Cook The Perfect... Fish Soup with Giorgio Alessio

Italian chef Giorgio Alessio shares his secrets for a perfect fish soup, the 'Cucina Povera' of the Yorkshire coast.

Listen to the interview and view the recipe below. YOu can also sign up for our newsletter and podcast on this page.

Tips and techniques

1. 1. Stir the fish as little as possible - over-stirring makes the fish disintegrate.
2. 2. Use as little flavouring as possible - don't swamp the flavour of the fish.
3. 3. Source fresh local fish - ask your fishmonger for cheaper cuts.

Recipe - Fish soup

Serves 4 as a hearty meal with bread

1. 1 small onion
2. 1 stick of celery
3. 1 carrot
4. 1 garlic clove
5. 6 very ripe tomatoes, chopped
6. Extra virgin olive oil
7. 1 knob of butter
8. 1 litre water
9. 1 glass dry white wine
10. 1 medium sized John Dory fillet
11. 2 small red mullet fillets
12. 1 baby squid
13. 100g ling fillet
14. 100g monk fish fillet
15. 2 gurnard fillets
16. 100g hake fillet
17. 1 boneless skate wing
18. 2 medium sized brill fillet
19. 2 dab fillets
20. Bread cut into large croutons

1. Boil the water in a pan.

2. Finely chop the onion, celery, carrot and garlic.

3. Heat a dessert spoon of olive oil in a separate pan and add the chopped ingredients. When they start to brown add the squid and cook for a few more minutes.

4. Add a glass of wine and simmer for a few minutes the add the tomatoes and butter.

5. When this starts simmering, add the fillets of John Dory, monk fish and dab.

6. When the meat changes colour start adding the hot water and allow to simmer for at least 10 minutes. Do not stir or you will break the fish into pieces.

7. Add the rest of the other fish and cook for a further 20 minutes (do not stir) and then take of the heat.

8. Deep fry the bread in the extra virgin olive oil until brown, drain and put in the bottom of the bowl place the soup on top of the bread and leave for a couple of minutes to soften the bread. Then serve.

Hear the interview with Giorgio Alessio

Italian chef Giorgio Alessio shares his secrets for a perfect fish soup, the 'Cucina Povera' of the Yorkshire coast.

• Hear Giorgio talk through his fish dish

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