Saffron Spaghetti Recipes

HOMEMADE SAFFRON PASTA

Steps:

• Soak saffron threads in hot water for 30 minutes.
• Place flour on a marble or wooden work surface. Make a well in the center and crack in eggs; add salt and saffron water. Gently beat eggs, saffron, and water using a fork, incorporating the surrounding flour, until mixture is runny. Pull remaining flour into the center using a bench scraper, incorporating it until dough forms a ball. Add more water, 1 tablespoon at a time, if dough is too stiff.
• Knead dough with your hands by flattening the ball, stretching it, and folding the top towards the center. Turn 45 degrees and repeat until dough is soft and smooth, about 10 minutes.
• Shape dough into a ball. Place in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate until firm, 30 minutes to 1 hour.
• Roll out the dough with a pasta machine or with a rolling pin and cut into lasagna sheets or tagliatelle.

SPECIAL SEAFOOD & SAFFRON PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil and have a bowl of cold water to hand. Cut a small cross in the base of each tomato and add to the hot water, then after 15 secs, scoop out with a slotted spoon (but keep the water boiling for the pasta) and plunge into the cold water. Leave the tomatoes to cool for 30 secs, then remove. Use a small sharp knife to peel away the skin, starting at the base where you made the cross. Cut each tomato into quarters then cut out and discard the seeds and any membrane. Cut into small dice, then set aside.
• Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook for 2 mins less than it says on the pack. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large frying pan (you'll need to use one with a lid) and add the garlic, sizzle for 2 mins until just starting to turn golden, then push to one side of the pan. Increase the heat and add the prawns and scallops, fry for 1-2 mins until the prawns are pink and the scallops are just turning golden, then scoop out of the pan and set aside on a plate. Add the mussels, white wine, saffron (with its soaking liquid) and some seasoning. Cover the pan with a lid and leave to steam for 3 mins until the mussels open (discard any which stay closed).
• Add the lemon zest and juice and the cream to the sauce and check the seasoning. Drain the pasta and add this too, along with the prawns, scallops and diced tomato. Toss everything together, and bubble for another 2 mins, or until the pasta has absorbed some of the sauce and is cooked through. Scatter with parsley and pine nuts and give everything a final toss together.

SAFFRON SPAGHETTI COOKED RISOTTO-STYLE

Steps:

• In a large no-stick frying pan heat the butter with the onion.
• cook spaghetti in boiling water for 1/2 minute
• Drain and place them in the pan with the onion. Try to stir them to season as much as possible
• Add a ladle or two of stock and cook over high heat
• Add the saffron in a ladleful of stock and stir it
• Then add it to spaghetti and cook until absorbed.
• Add grated Parmigiano cheese and stir (8). Serve hot with the addition of ground black pepper

SAFFRON SPAGHETTI ALLA CARBONARA

Steps:

• Place the saffron in a small pot with 1 cup cold water. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and let it steep while pasta water comes to a boil, about 6 to 8 minutes.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt the water and cook pasta to al dente. Heads up: reserve a half cup of starchy cooking water just before you drain spaghetti.
• While the water comes to a boil, heat olive oil, 3 turns of the pan, over medium heat. Add pancetta and cook until just about crisp, 4 to 5 minutes. Add in the garlic after 2 to 3 minutes and stir another 2 to 3 minutes until fragrant. Stir in wine and turmeric. Beat eggs with starchy cooking water. Drain pasta and add to the skillet. Pour saffron water over the pasta and toss to combine, season with pepper. Add in half the cheese and all of the parsley, pour in tempered eggs and turn off heat. Toss the spaghetti to coat evenly in golden sauce. Top with additional cheese and serve immediately.

SAFFRON SPAGHETTI

Steps:

• Preparation: Prepare your saffron by crushing a pinch and soaking in warm water for 10 minutes. Remove the stems from the basil leaves. Tie the basil stems together and put them in a pot of boiling salted water, with a little bit of olive oil and a pinch of the saffron. Add spaghetti noodles and cook per package directions. Chop thinly the basil leaves (save a few for decoration), combine basil and ricotta with a fork, and mix it with the olive oil, the saffron, salt and pepper. When the spaghetti is done, strain and lay the noodles in a hot plate, pour the ricotta with saffron and top with the chopped basil. Mix, and add the last leaves as decoration.