Creamy Norwegian Fish Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 1/2 tablespoons butter
2 1/2 tablespoons plain flour
4 -5 cups fish stock or 4 cups vegetable stock
1 medium carrot, finely chopped in strips
1 -2 cup leek, finely chopped in strips
1 -2 potato, peeled and cut into small cubes (optional)
1 (14 ounce) can chopped tomatoes (optional)
12 peeled raw shrimp (approx)
12 mussels (approx) or 12 small scallops (approx)
4 -6 ounces catfish (or fish of your own choice)
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
salt and pepper
2 tablespoons sour cream (optional)
2 teaspoons lumpfish caviar (optional)

Preparation

Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter, add the flour, stir for about 2 minutes without browning the flour.
Add the fish stock at intervals, stirring all the time, let it boil gently for 5-10 minutes.
Melt the rest of the butter and saute the carrots and leek and potatoes, if using, for approx 10 minutes.
Add the tomatoes (if using) and simmer for another 5 minutes, then add the shrimps, mussels, fish and the cream.
Simmer for another 5 minutes, or until the fish and shellfish are tender.
Add the parsley and salt and pepper to taste.
Serve garnished with sour cream and the lumpfish caviar.