Sardinian Fish Soup - {Zuppa Di Pesce Alla Sarda} Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon saffron threads
• 1/2 cup hot chicken broth
• 5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup thinly-sliced onion
• 1/2 cup chopped fennel bulb plus
• 1 tablespoon finely-chopped fennel leaves
• 2 garlic cloves chopped
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
• 1 1/2 cups coarsely-chopped peeled fresh or canned plum tomatoes (about 3 medium tomatoes)
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 2 1/2 pounds mixed seafood (cleaned squid, lobster meat, tuna and swordfish steaks)
• Salt to taste
• Freshly-ground black pepper to taste
• 6 slices Italian bread toasted
• Grated Pecorino Romano cheese