Groene waterzooi met kabeljauw (green Flemish cod stew)

For ➋
2.5 cl full cream
pinch bicarbonate
½ bunch curl parsley, rinsed
1 bunch watercress, rinsed
2 pieces cod fillets (about 200 g each)
1.5 laurel leaves
1 twig thyme
½ zucchini, unpeeled, diced
1.5 stems celery, cut into 1 cm pieces
½ stalk leeks, cut into 1 cm pieces
dash olive oil
½ clove garlic, crushed into pulp
½ onion, finely sliced
300 g potatoes, diced
½ l fish fumet
pepper & salt
50 g samphire (optional)

Heat 4 dl of fish fumet.
Bring water to a boil in a jar and add a pinch of baking soda to preserve the green color of the herbs.
Add the parsley and the watercress (keep some watercress apart for decoration). Boil for 5 m. Scoop the greens with a slotted spoon from the liquid and collect everything in the cup of the blender.
Add a dash of the cooking liquid and puree the spices in the machine. Let the appliance run for a long time, until you have a fine pureed sauce.
Pour a dash of olive oil into a large pan with a raised edge. Heat the oil on a medium heat.
Put the potato in the pot. Simmer briefly (or until the potato turns opaque, probably 5-10 m). Add the onion chips, then the garlic pulp. Heat for a few m. Lower the fire, stirring occasionally.
Add leeks and the celery to the pot, raise the heat a little higher and stir.
Add the zucchini and simmer.
Add the leaves of laurel and the sprigs of thyme. Season the stew with freshly grinded pepper and a pinch of salt.
Pour the warm fish fumet into the pot, until the pieces are covered for ¾. Bring everything to the boil, preferably under the lid.
A few m later, put the portions of fresh cod on top of the steaming hot waterzooi. Put the lid back on the pot and let the pieces of fish poach for 5 m on medium heat. Turn the pieces of cod and leave the fish in the simmering stew for another 3-4 m. Pierce the fish to check the doneness. Do not overcook the noble cod.
Remove the pieces of cod from the pot and set aside for a moment.
Remove the sprigs of thyme and the leaves of laurel from the stew. Pour a little cream, followed by the green herb sauce of watercress and parsley.
Stir, taste and add enough pepper from the grinder and a pinch of salt.
Optional: stir the samphire in some oil for 1-2 m)

Serve a portion of vegetables with potatoes in the soft green sauce in a deep plate.
Place a piece of cod on top and finish the plates with a tuft of fresh watercress. (Optional: add some samphire for a more salty taste).