Fresh Tomato Sauce with Fennel and Orange

Name: Fresh Tomato Sauce with Fennel and Orange
Ingredients: 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil , divided; 1 medium bulb fennel , trimmed of stalks, halved, cored, and cut into 1/4-inch dice (about 1 1/2 cups); 2 medium cloves garlic , minced or pressed through garlic press (about 2 teaspoons); 1/2 teaspoon fennel seed , lightly crushed; Pinch saffron , crushed (optional); 1/8 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes; 2 strips orange peel (each 3 by 1 inch); 3 tablespoons fresh squeezed orange juice from 1 orange; 3 pounds ripe round tomatoes , cored, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1/2-inch pieces (about 3 3/4 cups); 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil; 1/4 teaspoon table salt; 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper