- ingredients a-z
- in season
Ingredients by
Saffron
| Key facts |
|---|
This is made from the dried stamens of a variety of purple crocus. It is therefore expensive, but the good news is you need only very little – the flavour is powerful and so is the colour.
You can buy it ready ground, but I find it best to buy the stamens whole and then pound them to a powder with a pestle and mortar. It can then be mixed with a little water before adding to a recipe, or the powder can be added directly.
If, like me, you worry that your paella doesn't look quite as colourful as the one you had in Spain, fear not: you don't need more saffron – in Spain they sometimes cheat and add food colouring!
Serves 4Marinated Chicken with Honey and Ginger served with Mango and Sultana Salsa and Saffron-roasted Potatoes
Limes, honey, mangoes, chilli and ginger do wonders for the humble chicken in this light and healthy supper dish, served with gorgeous golden saffron potatoes.
Serves 2Spicy Marinated Fish with Pineapple Salsa
Easy, healthy and quick to cook, this fish recipe makes a fine supper dish for two. And the pineapple salsa is one of those accompaniments that you can make and serve with everything from barbecue food to grilled chicken.
Serves 4Mussel and Saffron Soup
Mussels are so cheap yet are often overlooked by home cooks. Use them in this fragrant soup, made golden with saffron, for a wonderful dinner-party recipe. Nowadays mussels come ready-cleaned, so it's made in minutes!
Serves 4Spanish Chicken with Butter Beans, Chorizo and Tomatoes
A one-pot recipe that will definitely become one of your favourites! Packed with flavour, this Spanish casserole is simply wonderful and needs nothing else with it. How easy is that?
Serves 4Cheats’ Risotto Milanese
Who says risotto has to be stirred? Well, yes, if it's a classic one, but this tastes every bit as good and is just left to its own devices on the hob. Brilliant with braised meat dishes and casseroles.
