Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
Total time: 2 hours, plus chilling and assembly time


Servings: 4

Note: Please see the accompanying source box on where to buy seafood. Fresh, cooked Dungeness crab can be substituted for the live crab (omit Step 5).

2 bay leaves

8 parsley sprigs

4 thyme sprigs

3 cloves garlic

2 tablespoons black peppercorns

1 small to medium fennel bulb, trimmed and coarsely chopped

2 carrots, peeled and cut crosswise into about 1/2-inch pieces

3 leeks, dark and light parts, rinsed and cut into 1/2-inch pieces

2 cups dry white wine

1 cup white wine vinegar

2 lemons, halved

Fine sea salt

12 large shrimp (1 pound total), either shelled (intestinal tract removed) or with the shell on

1 (1-pound) lobster

1 (2- to 2 1/2-pound) live Dungeness crab

1 pound mussels