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1
For the fish stock: Rinse the fish heads and place in a tall 6-quart pot with tails, bones, lobster shell, bay leaves, 1 teaspoon sea salt, black peppercorns, and water.
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2
Place over high heat, cover, and bring to a boil.
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3
Decrease the heat to maintain a bare simmer and cook for 25 minutes.
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4
Strain, discard solids, and set the stock aside.
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5
To make the stew: Place 1/4 cup olive oil in a clean 6-quart pot and set over medium heat.
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6
When the oil shimmers, add the onions, fennel, and 1/2 teaspoon sea salt.
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7
Saute until semi-translucent, about 10 minutes, stirring frequently.
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8
Deglaze the pan with the wine and scrape any bits from the bottom of the pan.
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9
Add the reserved fish stock, tomatoes, parsley, orange peel and saffron, if desired.
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10
Place over high heat, cover, and bring to a boil.
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11
Decrease the heat to maintain a simmer and cook for 15 minutes.
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12
Increase the heat to high.
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13
Add the remaining 1/4 cup olive oil, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, fish, garlic, and cayenne pepper.
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14
Boil rapidly, uncovered, for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
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15
Remove the pot from the heat, add the mussels and lobster, cover, and let stand until the fish is cooked through and the mussels open, 2 to 4 minutes.
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16
Discard any unopened mussels.
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17
To serve: Set the broiler to high.
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18
Lightly rub the baguette slices on both sides with the garlic.
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19
Place the prepared bread slices on a half sheet pan and broil, 1 inch away from the broiler, for 1 to 2 minutes.
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20
Turn the slices over and broil for another 1 to 2 minutes.
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21
Top with Rouille, if desired, and serve with fish stew.
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22
Cook the bell pepper over a gas burner set to high, turning every few minutes, until the skin blackens and is thoroughly charred.
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23
Remove the pepper to a metal mixing bowl, cover with a spare pot lid, and cool for 5 minutes.
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24
Remove the blackened skin from the pepper by rubbing with a clean kitchen towel.
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25
Pull out the stem and seed cluster and discard along with the skin.
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26
Place the roasted and skinned pepper, garlic, chile, lemon juice, and salt in the bowl of a mini-food processor.
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27
Process until smooth, 1 to 2 minutes.
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28
Stop and scrape down the side of the bowl once or twice.
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29
With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until thick.
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30
Serve with fish stew.