Ingredients

  • Classic Aioli
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • salt and freshly ground black pepepr
  • 3/4 cup olive oil
  • Soup
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 3/4 cup finely chopped celery
  • 2 cups finely chopped onion
  • 2 cups finely chopped leeks, rinsed thoroughly
  • 1` cup finely chopped red or green bell pepper
  • 1/2 cup finely diced fennel bulb
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine
  • 3 cups canned tomatoe puree
  • 4 cups fish broth or clam juice
  • 1 pound firm white fish, cut into 1 inch pieces
  • 1/2 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 12 mussels in shells, scrubbed
  • 1 bound bay scallops, rinsed and dried
  • 1 tablespoon Sambuca
  • 8 1/2 inch slices French baguette, toasted

Method

  • For Aioli. In blender or small food processor, combine garlic, paprika, egg, lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste. With blender running, add 3/4 cup olive oil, 1 drop at a time, until mixture begins to emulsify. As mixture thickens, oil may be added in a slow steady stream. Transfer to a small bowl and chill up to 2 days.
  • In large stockpot, heat remaining 1/4 cup olive oil over medium heat. Add celery, onion, leeks, bell pepper and fennel. Cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add salt, pepper, cayenne, wine and tomatoe puree and cook 5 minutes. Stir in fish broth and simmer 20 minutes.
  • Add fish and cook 2 minutes. Stir in shrimp and mussels. When mussel shells open, stir in scallops and Sambuca and cook 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Place baguette slices in warmed individual serving bowls and cover with soup.
  • Pass Aioli separately.