To make the saffron aïoli, smash a clove of garlic, a tiny squeeze of
lemon juice, and the saffron (if using) with a small pinch of salt in a
pestle and mortar or a Flavour Shaker™ until it turns into a mush. Add
a tablespoon of mayonnaise and pound again. Stir in the rest of the
mayo. Taste and season with a little more lemon juice, salt and pepper.
Give the mussels and clams a good wash in plenty of clean cold water
and scrub any dirty ones lightly with a scrubbing brush, pulling off
any beardy bits. If there are any that aren’t tightly closed, give them
a sharp tap. If they don’t close up, throw them away.
Heat a large, wide saucepan or stewing pot and pour in a splash of
olive oil. Slice up the rest of the garlic and fry it in the oil until
lightly golden. Add the wine and the tomatoes and the basil stalks and
bring to the boil. Simmer gently for 10 to 15 minutes, until the liquid
has reduced a little.
Add all your fish and shellfish in a single layer and season with salt
and pepper. Push the fish down into the liquid and put the lid on. Cook
gently for about 10 minutes or until all the clams and mussels have
opened and the fish fillets and langoustines or prawns are cooked
through. (Discard any clams or mussels that don’t open.)
Toast the bread on a hot griddle pan and get out the serving bowls. Put
a piece of toast in each bowl and ladle the soup over the top, making
sure the fish is divided more or less evenly. Top each bowl with some
fennel tops, basil leaves, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a
big blob of saffron aïoli.