Bouillabaisse

Preparation

1. Step 1

   In a large mixing bowl, combine fish, pastis, two pinches of saffron and ½ cup olive oil. Season lightly with salt and pepper, and mix well without breaking up fish. Cover, and refrigerate for at least three hours.

2. Step 2

   In a large heavy-bottomed stockpot, combine fish stock and remaining saffron. Place over high heat, and bring to a rapid boil. Add potatoes, and cook for 7 minutes. Add largest, firmest pieces of fish from the bowl, and cook for 2 minutes. Add remaining pieces of fish, and continue to boil until potatoes are tender, about 10 more minutes. Season with salt, pepper and cayenne to taste.

3. Step 3

   Prepare the rouille: Crush 2 to 3 cloves garlic, and use a mortar and pestle to mash with a pinch of cayenne pepper. Dunk hunk of bread into 2 to 3 tablespoons hot fish stock, squeeze out liquid, and add to mortar. Mash well.

4. Step 4

   Take 2 to 3 slices potato from Bouillabaisse, and mash with pestle into a thick paste. Gradually add remaining olive oil, drop by drop, mashing mixture in a circular motion until thick and smooth. (If mixture breaks up, add a teaspoon or two of hot fish stock or a little more soup-soaked bread.) Season with salt and pepper to taste.

5. Step 5

   To serve, remove fish and potatoes from soup, and arrange on a large serving platter. Ladle some soup over fish, and keep warm. Rub slices of bread with 2 cloves garlic, and place in a dish on the table along with bowl of rouille. Have diners dab croutons with rouille and place them in soup plates. Ladle soup over croutons, and place a serving of fish and potatoes into each plate.