We made a healthy start to the New Year with Simplest Breton Fish Soup (page 96) for French Fridays with Dorie. Almost everything about this soup was new to me. I haven’t made a fish soup before and never eaten mussels. I made a half recipe which made a lot of soup. I was worried about using fish broth as I thought it would be too fishy so I used vegetable broth which worked well for us. I bought tilapia since I like that fish which tasted good but broke up a bit with mixing. I have never had mussels before and I didn’t like the looks of them, digging them out or the taste. My husband enjoyed them and thought we cooked them perfect. I followed the Bonne Idee and added carrots to the soup for added vegetables. My husband also thought that the soup tasted better the next day. I am glad that I tried something new but will probably not be making this one again. Happy New Year!
These recipes are part of an international cooking group working our way through Around My French Table by Dorie Greenspan. To see what others did in the group go here.
CafeMomCooks 
I am sorry you did not like this soup as much as your hubby. Did you make the vinaigrette? Its a MUST! We thought it was good for a light dinner! Happy New Year to you and your family!
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This one was a winner in my house! My husband is a dutchman and they love their fish!! Surprisingly I loved it too! Happy New Year Diane!
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I'm laughing because you are the third post I've read where the cook doesn't like the mussels but the husband does..so funny. Good for you trying something so new. Happy New Year.
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Sorry this wasn't a hit for you, but glad that it was appreciated by your eater. I sent most of m ine to my parents, but haven't heard whether they liked it or not – although, I did enjoy the bowl I had right after I made it. Emily is right about the vinaigrette – it made a huge difference. Happy New Year.
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Definitely some great firsts and your soup looks great! Sorry it wasn't a hit.
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I think it's great to try something new, even if the results don't thrill you. I'm glad it was a hit for your husband, though!
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I'm with you on this one! You were smart to make a half-batch. I made the full batch and had to throw a lot away (even though my husband enjoyed it and ate plenty). Oh well, on to the next one!
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I'm sorry the soup didn't work out for you! I do agree, though, that it's really fun to make something we wouldn't normally choose. I like getting out of the comfort zone, but mostly when it works out. 🙂 Happy New Year, Diane!
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I made half the recipe too – the whole recipe would have been a lot! Mussels are hard to like, but bravo for trying them!
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Happy New Year! Happily your husband liked the soup at least! I made half a recipe, and it was a lot. We do like mussels, and did enjoy this. Well done that you tried it out!
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You were very definite about this one, Diane. No question that this didn't go over well at your house or with you. I learned to like mussels in France – I think they taste sooooo much better when you're sitting in a bistro on the Côte d'Azur. Your bowl of the soup looks beautiful and tasty, however.
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