Ingredients

Rouille:

• 1/4 c. plus 2 tbsp. fish stock or clam broth
• large pinch saffron threads
• one 1/4-inch thick slice of peasant bread, crust removed
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 jarred piquillo pepper, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped
• 2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 c. extra virgin olive oil
• cayenne pepper
• salt

Mussels:

• 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 heads of fennel, cored and diced, plus 1/4 c. chopped fronds
• 1 med. onion, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper
• 1/2 c. Pernod or absinthe
• 1 1/4 c. fish stock or clam broth
• 4 lb. mussels, scrubbed and debearded
• 1 tbsp. butter
• 1/2 c. chopped parsley
• salt

Preparation

1. Make the rouille: In a microwave-safe bowl, heat 2 tbsp. of the fish stock at high power. Crumble in the saffron and let cool. In a large bowl, soften the bread in the remaining 1/4 c. of fish stock.
2. In a food processor, puree the soaked bread, egg yolk, piquillo, garlic, and lemon juice until smooth. With the machine on, slowly pour in 1/4 c. of the oil and the saffron fish stock. Slowly pour in the remaining 1/4 c. of oil. Season with cayenne and salt.
3. Prepare the mussels: In a large pot, heat the oil. Add the diced fennel, onion, and garlic and cook over moderately high heat, stirring, until softened, 7 minutes. Add the red pepper and cook for 30 seconds. Add the Pernod and boil over high heat for 2 minutes. Add the fish stock and bring to a boil. Add the mussels, cover and cook, shaking the pot, until they open, 5 minutes. Pile the mussels in a bowl; discard any that don’t open. Stir the butter into the broth, add the fennel fronds and parsley; season with salt. Pour the broth over the mussels and serve with the rouille.

Food and Wine, April 2010