First of all, lay your fish out in one layer on your worktop to give you an idea
of how much you are dealing with. Next get yourself a pan with a lid – ideally
one that’s the right size for the fish to be spread out in one layer. This is so
that it can all cook at the same time. Put your pan on the heat, add 4 or 5
tablespoons of olive oil, and slowly fry your onions, fennel, chilli, fennel
seeds and bay leaf with the lid on until nice and softened. This should take
about 10 minutes.
Meanwhile put your couscous in a bowl and just cover
it with salted, boiling water. Put to one side to soak for about 5 minutes. When
the onions are sweet and soft, add the tomatoes and anchovies, stir together and
carefully season to taste. Shake the pan so that the onions and tomatoes cover
the bottom of the pan evenly. Dress the couscous lightly with a little olive oil
and the juice and zest of one of the lemons. Sprinkle the couscous over the top
of the onions and tomatoes in one even layer. Then place the fish over the top
of that and finish off with a drizzle of olive oil. Place the lid on top and
simmer slowly on the hob for about 12 minutes.
Meanwhile, season the
yoghurt with salt, pepper and the remaining lemon juice and sprinkle over the
reserved fennel tops and mint. Serve the pan of fish in the middle of the table
with a bowl of yoghurt and let everyone help themselves. Lightly stir the fish
up, check the seasoning and eat straight away.