Have you ever used saffron ?

[bearfan454]

I use it sometimes. It gives dishes a sort of Mediterranean flavor. For instance if you put a pinch(it goes a long way) in a pan of rice it will taste a little like seafood, but the flavor is unique. This is my last bottle that my parents brought back from Spain a few years ago. Have you ever used saffron ?

[NMDemDist2]

1. i love saffron rice (we call it yellow rice) and I like it in seafood

too. It's used in lots of cajun dishes too

[bearfan454]

2. I didn't know Cajuns used it.

I thought almost all Cajun food was spicy.

[NMDemDist2]

3. not at all. Cajuns were French immigrants

they have a very sophisticated cuisine

popular culture has picked up the spicy stuff but true Louisiana Cajun cooking is wonderful and not always hot :)

Saffron Crawfish Risotto Recipe

Ingredients
1/2 cup onions, chopped
1 Tbsp butter
1 cup uncooked rice
1 pinch saffron or turmeric
1/3 cup white wine
2 cups chicken broth
1-1/2 cup peas
1/2 pound cooked and peeled crawfish tails
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 tsp lemon juice
1/4 tsp hot pepper sauce

Instructions
Cook onions in butter in large skillet over medium-high heat until soft. Add rice and saffron; stir 2 to 3 minutes. Add wine; stir until absorbed. Stir in 1 cup broth; cook, uncovered, stirring frequently, until broth is absorbed. Continue stirring and adding remaining 1 cup broth and 3 cups water, allowing each to be absorbed before adding another, until rice is tender and mixture has a creamy consistency. It will take approximately 25 to 30 minutes. Stir in remaining ingredients and cook until thoroughly heated, about 2 minutes.

If crawfish is unavailable, substitute deveined medium shrimp.

Yield: 6 servings

[eleny]

4. Yes, in fish stews

I love it.It makes such a difference.

[tishaLA]

5. I made a great dish with it

from the Barefoot Contessa's cookbook. It was saffron butternut squash risotto....simply amazing. One of the best things I have ever made or eaten.

[SoCalDem]

6. Yes.. I have a bottle in my pantry..

It's one the THE most expensive spices around..but it lasts a long time because it's so potent and you use so little of it :)

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

7. Can't make paella without saffron

[The empressof all]

8. Lovely Spice--Very very expensive

I hoard every bit of it. Keeping it in the freezer seems to keep the flavor better.

[denverbill]

13. Order it online. It's very reasonable there.

http://www.theposter.com/saffron2.html

We ordered an ounce from these folks several years ago for about $30, gave 1/2 to my father-in-law and still have gobs left. It keeps very well too.

You can't believe what an ounce of saffron looks like compared to the 3-4 strands they give you in a bottle at the grocery store for $10.

[Lisa0825]

9. I wanted to try it recently, but a jar with 4 tiny envelopes was $15!

Then I discovered Goya spices with Saffron and Saffron-infused rice! Very yummy!!!

[cally]

10. Check out middle eastern grocery stores

It's much cheaper there. When I was in Turkey several years ago, I kept buying saffron because it was so much cheaper. It was also fun because the bizarre owner would have a stall with huge mounds of all types of spices. When I got home, I was surprised how much I had bought. I gave lots away and I still have a small box full. :eyes:

[Stinky The Clown]

11. Saffron in Risotto

mmmmMMMM!

Its just that its a lot of money for crocus stamens!

[SOteric]

12. Yes, absolutely.

I love making saffron-infused dishes.