Clear Fish Soup

Ingredients

• 1 onion
• 1 carrot
• 1 parsley root
• 1 leek (white part only)
• 1 parsnip
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 pound fresh or frozen smelts
• 10 whole black peppercorns
• 2 – 3 bay leaves

Directions

1. Combine the vegetables, salt, and 2 quarts of water in a 4-quart pot.
2. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer for 30 minutes, partially covered.
3. Add the smelts, peppercorns, and bay leaves, then return to a boil and simmer for 20 minutes, partially covered.
4. Strain the stock, discard the vegetables and .
5. Taste the broth for salt, remove bay leaves, and use as directed in the following recipes.