What to do with Iranian Gold? (Saffron)

[Michael_in_TX]

A friend of mine just got back from a four-week trip throughout the near east and, knowing my affinity for cooking, brought me back quite a bit of high-grade Iranian saffron, the bright red stuff.

I've never cooked with saffron before, given its high price (at least in the United States, apparently it is much cheaper in near and middle eastern countries). I've been watching some YouTube videos on it and, okay, I get it, it's used in rice. It's used in rice a lot.

I've also learned that you don't use the threads directly, but grind them and rehydrate them in water, like what we'd do with dried chile peppers.

Other than rice, any suggestions? This stuff is quite expensive so I don't want to waste any of it.

[Michael_in_TX]

(And yes, it took all I had to add the "(Saffron)" to the thread title lol.)

[Donw]

Paella!

[HawkerXP]

+1

[barelfly]

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SheilaAnn]

First, send some to me Michael_in_TX

first thing that comes to mind and ignores your post is osso buco Milanese. The rice has saffron and it is magical.

I’ve had saffron in ice cream before. Very interesting! I bet it would be good in a cocktail (ask the cocktail guys here). The president of my culinary club is an ancient Egyptian scholar. I could ask him.

and no…. I did not ask the googles…..

[jayjordan]

How ancient is this Egyptian scholar? 😄

[SheilaAnn]

jayjordan 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Kinda old….

https://www.rollingstone.com/author/charles-perry/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charle...y_(food_writer)

[CaptainMike]

Ima just call you Mellow Yellow, quite rightly.

[briano52]

My SO is Persian. She would not make rice without a saffron topping. She puts the threads in water and spreads them over the rice. Looks beautiful. Flavor is subtle.

I use saffron in some light sauces like a beurre blanc. Very delicate and sensual flavor for fish like Dover Sole. The saffron from Iran or the middle east is usually much more favorable than domestic or stuff from other places.

[SheilaAnn]

Beurre blanc! Yes!

[fzxdoc]

Milanese risotto. You're welcome.

(just in case this isn't on your list of rice dishes for saffron)

Also:

Creamy Saffron Leek and Potato Soup

Saffron Pumpkin Creme Brulee


K.

[Sid P]

I knew Marcella Hazan had a recipe that featured saffron, but couldn’t recall what it was and had to look it up. Sure enough, it’s Milanese risotto.

[SheilaAnn]

Sid P my go-to recipe. My paperback copy of the book’s broken spine is this recipe.

[fzxdoc]

Marcella's is a tough act to follow, indeed!

Sid P and SheilaAnn

K.

[Michael_in_TX]

I also found a recipe for saffron chicken wings. That is certainly going on the todo list!

[58limited]

Lots of Middle Eastern and North African recipes use it. Might Google some and find a recipe that interests you.