Prawn, fennel and couscous soup

For the perfect winter comfort food try this saffron-infused prawn, fennel and couscous soup. Mop it all up with a big slice of crusty bread.

The ingredient of Prawn, fennel and couscous soup

1. Large pinch saffron
2. 60ml (1/4 cup) boiling water
3. 2 leeks, trimmed, washed
4. 60ml (1/4 cup) extra virgin olive oil
5. 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
6. Pinch dried chilli flakes
7. 2 French shallots, finely chopped
8. 1 celery stick, finely chopped
9. 1 carrot, peeled, finely chopped
10. 375ml (1 1/2 cups) dry white wine
11. 1L (4 cups) fish stock
12. 4 large fresh tarragon sprigs
13. 2 fresh bay leaves
14. 4 strips lemon rind
15. 1 small red capsicum, deseeded, sliced
16. 1 small yellow capsicum, deseeded, sliced
17. 165g (1 cup) pearl couscous
18. 1kg green prawns, peeled, tails intact
19. Tarragon leaves, extra, to serve
20. Lemon wedges, to serve
21. Crusty bread, to serve, optional

The instruction how to make Prawn, fennel and couscous soup

1. Place the saffron in a heatproof bowl and cover with boiling water. Set aside, covered, for 10-15 minutes to infuse.
2. Finely chop 1 leek. Halve and thinly slice remaining leek. Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the fennel and chilli. Cook, stirring, for 30 seconds or until aromatic. Add the shallot, celery, carrot and finely chopped leek. Season. Cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until soft.
3. Add the wine. Simmer for 1 minute or until slightly reduced. Add the stock, saffron mixture, tarragon, bay leaves and lemon rind. Bring to the boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes to develop the flavours.
4. Strain stock through a sieve into a heatproof bowl. Push on the solids with the back of a wooden spoon to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard solids. Wipe saucepan clean with paper towel.
5. Heat remaining oil in pan over medium-low heat. Add sliced leek. Cook, stirring, for 5 minutes until soft. Add capsicum. Cook, stirring, for 2 minutes or until just soft. Add stock. Bring to a simmer. Add couscous. Simmer for 4 minutes. Add prawns. Simmer for 3 minutes or until prawns change colour and couscous is tender. Season.
6. Ladle soup among serving bowls. Sprinkle with extra tarragon. Serve with the lemon wedges and crusty bread, if using.

Nutritions of Prawn, fennel and couscous soup

calories: 768.146 calories
fatContent: 21.3 grams fat
saturatedFatContent: 3.9 grams saturated fat
carbohydrateContent: 55.2 grams carbohydrates
sugarContent: 7.4 grams sugar
fibreContent:
proteinContent: 70.5 grams protein
cholesterolContent: 529 milligrams cholesterol
sodiumContent: 1043 milligrams sodium