Bistro Steamed Clams With Roasted Shallots And Saffron Food

STEAMED CLAMS IN GARLIC SAFFRON BROTH

Steps:

• Crumble saffron into 1 cup of boiling water. Set aside to steep.
• Heat olive oil in a large, shallow saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and shallots, and cook until they begin to soften, about 3 minutes. Add wine, and stir to loosen any bits from pan. Add reserved saffron broth, and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, and add clams, chopped tomato, and half the chopped parsley. Stir to combine. Cover, and let steam until clams are opened, 10 to 12 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining parsley and pepper, and serve immediately.

COD WITH POTATOES, PEPPERS AND SAFFRON

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large wide pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion and bell pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until softened, about 30 seconds. Add the potatoes and stir to coat. Add the chicken broth, bay leaves, 3/4 teaspoon salt, the saffron and red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to maintain a steady simmer. Cover the pot and cook until the potatoes are mostly tender, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Season the cod with salt, then add to the pot; submerge about halfway in the broth, with the top of the fish exposed. Cover and simmer until the fish is cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes. Carefully remove with a spatula and transfer to shallow bowls.
• Gently stir the lemon juice into the pot; season with salt and more red pepper flakes. Spoon the vegetables and broth over the fish, sprinkle with the parsley and serve with the lemon wedges.

ROASTED SHALLOTS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. In a large bowl, toss the shallots with the oil, 1 tablespoon salt, and season with pepper. Transfer to an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet and arrange in a single layer. Bake until the shallots are browned and tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly. Using a knife, slice off the tips of the shallots (the end opposite the root end) and discard. Gently squeeze the shallots from their skins and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm or at room temperature.

JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE SOUP WITH LEMON AND SAFFRON

Steps:

• Using a heavy casserole with a cover, saute the onions in the olive oil over low heat, covered, about 20 minutes. Uncover, add garlic and the artichokes, and increase heat. Continue to saute for a few more minutes. Add the chicken broth and salt and pepper, to taste. Bring to a boil and simmer, covered, for 30 minutes. Grind the almonds in a spice grinder and mix with the water. Whisk the mixture into the soup along with with saffron strands and the lemon juice. Reheat, sprinkle parsley on top, and serve.

CLAMS STEAMED IN CHAMPAGNE

Steps:

• Heat oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat.
• Add clams and cook two minutes, tossing gently.
• Stir in garlic and shallots.
• Add Champagne and cook three minutes. Cover and steam five minutes. Remove opened clams.
• Cover and cook remaining clams five more minutes; discard any that do not open.
• Transfer clams to bowls using slotted spoon.
• Boil liquid in pan until reduced to 2/3 cup, about five minutes.
• Reduce heat to low. Mix in parsley and lemon juice. Whisk in butter, one tablespoon at a time.
• Season with salt and pepper. Spoon sauce over clams and serve.

STEAMED CLAMS WITH SAFFRON AND TOMATO

Steps:

• Combine vinegar and saffron in large pot.
• Stir over medium-low heat until saffron begins to release its color, about 1 minute.
• Add tomatoes, shallots, garlic, then both oils.
• Add clams to mixture.
• Cover and cook over high heat until clams open, about 8 minutes; discard any clams that do not open.
• Using tongs, divide clams among 4 bowls.
• Mix parsley leaves into cooking liquid.
• Season to taste with salt.
• Ladle cooking liquid over clams and serve with toast.

ROASTED SHALLOTS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400ºF.
• Cut the ends off the shallots and peel them. If you are struggling with getting the skin off, make a shallow cut along the length of the shallot and then peel. Place them on a small baking sheet and drizzle them lightly with olive oil.
• Pour on the balsamic vinegar and sprinkle with a good pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper. Use a rubber spatula or your hands to mix well.
• Lay down the thyme sprigs and cover the pan with foil. Bake for 20 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for another 15 minutes. Remove and discard the thyme sprigs. Allow to cool slightly and serve.