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Rybí polévka
Carp soup
Rybí polévka: Czech Christmas Eve carp soup with root vegetables and croutons
CzechIn Czechia the Christmas Eve supper begins with rybí polévka, a soup made from the trimmings of the Christmas carp, which is often bought live at street stalls in the days before; here you simply ask the fishmonger for prepared carp trimmings and a fillet. The bones and trimmings make a clear stock that is simmered with carrot, celeriac and parsley root, then filled with flakes of carp and served with croutons fried in butter. Many families add the carp roe. Chef's tip: strain the stock carefully through muslin, as carp has many fine bones.
- Total time
- 105 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 6
Ingredients
For the stock
For the soup
- 2 tbsp sunflower oil
- 2 carrotsdiced
- 5 ½ oz celeriacdiced
- 1 parsley root or parsnipdiced
- 2 tbsp plain flour
- 10 ½ oz carp filletskinned and cut into pieces
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- 1 handful parsleychopped
For the croutons
- 3 slices white breadcubed
- 2 tbsp oil
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What you'll need
Spices & pantry
Fresh ingredients (5)
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Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Put 1 ⅓ lb carp bones and trimmings, gills removed, 8 ¼ cups water, 1 onion, 1 bay leaf, 4 allspice berries, 6 black peppercorns and 2 tsp salt in a pot and simmer very gently for 40 minutes. Strain through a sieve lined with muslin, discarding the solids.
40 minStep 2: In a clean pot, fry 2 carrots, 5 ½ oz celeriac and 1 parsley root or parsnip in 2 tbsp sunflower oil over a medium heat for 5 minutes. Sprinkle in 2 tbsp plain flour and stir for 2 minutes until pale golden.
7 minStep 3: Gradually whisk in the hot stock, add ½ tsp dried thyme and simmer for 15 minutes, until the vegetables are tender.
15 minStep 4: Add 10 ½ oz carp fillet and simmer gently for 5–6 minutes, until opaque and flaking. A common mistake is stirring hard now, which breaks the fish into shreds.
6 minStep 5: Meanwhile fry 3 slices white bread in 2 tbsp oil over a medium heat, turning, until golden and crisp.
5 minStep 6: Stir 1 handful parsley into the soup and serve with the croutons on top.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 220 kcal
- Protein
- 18 g
- Carbs
- 16 g
- Fat
- 9 g
- Fibre
- 3 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does rybí polévka take?
- About 105 minutes in total: 30 minutes to prepare and 75 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 6 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- What can I use instead of onion?
- 2 shallots per onion.
- What can I use instead of black peppercorns?
- Ground black pepper, a little less than the amount.
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