Name: Bouillabaisse
Yield: Makes 6 to 8 servings
Ingredients: 12 to 16 (1/2-inch-thick) baguette slices; 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil; 1 garlic clove, halved; 1 (1- to 1 1/4-lb) live lobster; 2 large tomatoes, peeled and coarsely chopped; 1 large onion, chopped; 4 garlic cloves, chopped; 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil; 1 lb boiling potatoes; 1/3 cup finely chopped fennel fronds (sometimes called anise); 1 Turkish or 1/2 California bay leaf; 1/4 teaspoon crumbled saffron threads; 1 1/2 tablespoons coarse sea salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 9 cups white fish stock; 3 lb mixed skinned white fish fillets (such as monkfish, turbot, red snapper, striped bass, porgy, grouper, and/or cod), cut into 2-inch pieces; Rouille

A 1980 charter signed by 11 restaurants (7 in Marseille) dictates what kinds of fish form the basis of an authentic local bouillabaisse. These are generally unavailable here, so we suggest using the freshest nonoily fish you can get, preferably three to five different kinds. As long as we were taking liberties, we also added lobster and used fennel fronds in place of pastis. And though the broth and croutons are usually served separately from the fish itself in Marseille, we enjoyed everything together.

Active time: 1 1/4 hr Start to finish: 1 1/2 hr

Recipe notes

Classic French Bouillabaisse With Rouille

This flexible recipe is all you need to bring this iconic Provençal seafood stew to your table.

Rouille

This piquant French sauce comes together in the blender in just five minutes.

Our Favorite French Onion Soup

Caramelized onions, melty Gruyère, and a deeply savory broth deliver the kind of comfort that doesn’t need improving.

Butternut Squash–Kale Salad With Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette

Round out these autumn greens with tart pomegranate seeds, crunchy pepitas, and a shower of Parmesan.

Dulce de Leche

Make this versatile caramel at home with our slow-simmered method using milk and sugar—or take one of two sweetened condensed milk shortcuts.

White Bean Turkey Chili

A dash of cocoa powder adds depth and richness to the broth of this easy turkey chili.

Béchamel Sauce

This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.

Key Lime Pie Thumbprint Cookies

The classic dessert reimagined as a soft and chewy cookie with a buttery, brown-sugar-sweetened graham cracker dough and a silky lime custard filling.