Bouyon Bred (Seychellois Fish and Green Leaf Soup)
Local name: Bouyon bred
In short: A light Creole soup of firm white fish and leafy greens simmered with tomato, ginger, garlic and thyme, finished with a squeeze of lime. It takes about 50 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 30 min
- Total
- 50 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 225 kcal
Bouyon bred is a Creole fish and greens soup, a distant cousin of the French bouillabaisse. In Seychelles, bred means leafy greens, and cooks use whatever tender leaves are in season. They go into a light broth with firm fish, tomato, ginger and thyme, and cook only briefly so the greens stay bright. It is eaten with rice on the side, or sipped from a bowl on its own.
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Cook the onion for 5 minutes until soft, then add the garlic and ginger for 1 minute.
- Add the tomatoes, thyme and chili and cook for 6 minutes until the tomatoes collapse.
- Pour in the water and salt and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes to build the broth.
- Add the fish and simmer gently for 5 to 6 minutes until it is opaque and reaches 63°C (145°F).
- Stir in the greens and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until just wilted but still bright green.
- Remove the chili and thyme, stir in the lime juice and taste for salt. Serve hot, with rice if you like.
Tips
- Add the greens last so they stay bright and tender. Leaves such as moringa, chayote tops or Malabar spinach are traditional.
- For a deeper broth, simmer fish heads or bones in the water for 15 minutes first, then strain.
Questions and answers
What does bred mean?
In Seychellois Creole, bred means leafy green vegetables, from the French word brèdes. Many kinds are used, including moringa and Malabar spinach.
Can I use frozen fish?
Yes. Thaw it fully, pat it dry, and add it to the broth for the same time.
Is bouyon bred spicy?
Only lightly. The whole chili flavors the broth without making it hot. Serve chili sauce on the side if you like.
How long does it take to make Bouyon Bred (Seychellois Fish and Green Leaf Soup)?
About 50 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 30 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Bouyon Bred (Seychellois Fish and Green Leaf Soup)?
About 225 kcal per serving, with 28 g of protein, 7 g of carbohydrates and 9 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 225 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 28 g |
| Carbohydrates | 7 g |
| Fat | 9 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 600 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
