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

Preparation

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.