Saffron is called the king of spices and the spice of kings - no wonder it is the most expensive spice in the world. To harvest 1 kg of spice, you need to spend about 400 hours processing 80,000 purple crocus flowers. After all, it is precisely its stigmas that are called saffron - a universal spice that can give a delicate refined taste and aroma to a huge number of dishes.
Instructions
Step 1
It takes quite a bit of saffron to add color, flavor and aroma to dishes. Therefore, it is not consumed like other herbs, adding a pinch or measuring out with teaspoons. An infusion is made from saffron. It is enough to soak 1 g of spice in 150 g of hot water or milk for 30-60 minutes, and you can use it without fear of exceeding the dosage and get a very bitter dish. Dry saffron quickly loses its aroma, so it is best to store it as an alcoholic tincture. For its manufacture, take about 10 g of spice per 100 ml of alcohol and incubate for at least 12 hours. Alcohol tincture is also diluted in warm liquid. Add 3-5 drops per 1 liter to soups and broths. Saffron powder does not need to be diluted, but it is used with extreme care.
Step 2
Saffron does not go well with many spices, interrupting their taste and aroma, but there are spices with which it is in harmony. These are cinnamon, rosemary, thyme, turmeric and chili. Saffron is widely used in Arabic, Indian and Mediterranean cuisine, especially with rice and seafood. A good buaybes or Spanish paella is unthinkable without saffron. Put it in pilaf, risotto and rice puddings.
Step 3
Saffron is a favorite spice of confectioners. It gives a beautiful golden color to baked goods, so it is kneaded into dough when baking muffins, bread, pies, cookies. A little saffron was necessarily added to Easter cakes for taste and beauty.
Step 4
Saffron is used in the preparation of tinctures, liqueurs, butter and cheese makers love this spice. This spice is added to hot dishes a few minutes before cooking, but to baked goods - when kneading the dough. Also, during cooking, they put it in cheese, butter and alcoholic beverages.
Step 5
If you add a little saffron to vinegar, add garlic and thyme to it, you get a bright and aromatic salad dressing. Saffron is put in sweet black tea, this drink is called Kashmiri. It helps to lower blood pressure, relieve pain during menstruation, and induce appetite. Saffron is not recommended for pregnant women as it can cause uterine bleeding and lead to abortion.
