SARDINIAN FISH SOUP - {ZUPPA DI PESCE ALLA SARDA} RECIPE

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

Provided by á-170456

Number Of Ingredients 16

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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

Steps:

Soak the saffron threads in the hot chicken broth; set aside. In a large Dutch oven or heavy pot, heat the oil. Add the onion and saute for 2 minutes. Add the chopped fennel bulb and saute for 3 minutes. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and saute for 1 minute. Add the fennel leaves, parsley, tomatoes, and wine and stir well. Strain the chicken broth, pressing on the saffron threads to extract all the liquid, and add to the pot; discard the saffron. Stir well and simmer for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, cut the squid into 1/2-inch rings. Cut the lobster, tuna, and swordfish into 1-inch cubes. Add the squid to the pot and season with salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the squid is barely al dente, still firm but not rubbery. Add the remaining seafood and cook for 10 minutes longer. Place a bread slice in each of 6 soup bowls and carefully ladle the soup over the bread. Pass grated Pecorino Romano cheese at the table. Note: It is not customary in Italy to put grated cheese on fish dishes, but here the salty taste nicely complements the flavors of the seafood. This recipe yields 6 servings.