Grilled Asparagus With Saffron Aioli Food

GRILLED ASPARAGUS WITH SAFFRON AIOLI

Steps:

• For Aioli: Whisk vinegar, honey, and saffron threads in heavy small saucepan over medium-high heat.
• Bring to a boil and remove from heat.
• Cool completely.
• Mix mayonnaise and garlic in medium bowl to blend.
• Mix in cooled vinegar mixture.
• Season aioli to taste with salt and pepper.
• (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.).
• For Asparagus: Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat.) Toss asparagus with oil on rimmed baking sheet.
• Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Grill asparagus until crisp-tender, turning occasionally, about 5 minutes.
• Transfer to platter.
• Drizzle aioli over asparagus.
• Sprinkle with bell pepper.

FINGERLING POTATOES WITH AIOLI

Steps:

• Rinse the potatoes and put them in a large saucepan. Cover them with cold water, add 1 tablespoon of salt, and bring to a boil. Simmer uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes, until they are just tender. Drain the potatoes in a colander and place a kitchen towel on top, allowing them to steam for 5 to 10 minutes.
• For the aioli, tear the slice of bread into pieces and place in a bowl. Pour the vinegar over the bread, and set aside for 5 minutes.
• Place the garlic cloves, egg yolks, zest, juice, saffron, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Add the bread, and puree into a paste. With the processor running, slowly pour the oil into the bowl through the feed tube and process until it is the consistency of thick sour cream. Place in a serving bowl.
• Slice the potatoes in half and place them on a serving plate. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and decorate with the chopped chives. Serve with the aioli.

GRILLED VEGETABLES SALAD WITH CRAB CAKES AND SAFFRON AIOLI

Steps:

• Saute the peppers and garlic in olive oil. Set aside to cool.
• In a big bowl, combine the crabmeat, 3 tablespoons of the mayonnaise, herbs, bread crumbs, and the cooled Sauteed mixture. Mix well. If it seems dry, add more mayonnaise. Cover and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
• Make balls from crab mix into 8 equal portions. Pat each into a disk. Chill again until ready to cook.
• Preheat grill for 20 minutes before you need to cook vegetables. Prep all the vegetables then toss in olive oil, salt, and pepper in separate bowls. Grill them over medium high heat until they are tender but not mushy, about 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the heat of the grill. As they come off grill, toss them in a bit more olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Serve warm or at room temperature.
• Fry the crab cakes over medium high heat in olive oil until golden brown. Serve with the grilled vegetables and Saffron Aioli.
• Use garlic that is fresh and firm. If garlic has sprouted, split the cloves and remove green germ. In food processor, puree garlic until chopped fine. Season with salt and pepper and add the saffron and egg yolks. With motor running slowly, add the olive oil in a thin steady stream. When it is done, it should be like a thick mayonnaise. Add lemon juice and cayenne and taste for seasoning.
• Alternatively, you can make the aioli in a mortar and pestle, which is the traditional way.
• Yield: 2 cups

GRILLED ASPARAGUS WITH SAFFRON AïOLI

Steps:

• For aioli:
• Whisk vinegar, honey, and saffron threads in heavy small saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to boil. Remove from heat. Cool completely. Mix mayonnaise and garlic in medium bowl to blend. Mix in cooled vinegar mixture. Season aioli to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• For asparagus:
• Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Toss asparagus with oil on rimmed baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill asparagus until crisp-tender, turning occasionally, about 5 minutes. Transfer to platter. Drizzle aioli over asparagus. Sprinkle with bell pepper.

ASPARAGUS WITH ROASTED-GARLIC AïOLI

Steps:

• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 400°F.
• Cut off and discard tops of garlic heads to expose cloves, then brush each head with 1/2 tablespoon oil. Wrap heads together in foil and bake until tender, about 45 minutes. Cool to warm.
• Squeeze garlic from skins into a food processor and purée with mayonnaise, vinegar, pepper, and salt. Transfer aioli to a bowl and stir in chives.
• Peel lower two thirds of each asparagus stalk with a vegetable peeler. Cook asparagus in a wide 6- to 8-quart pot of boiling salted water, uncovered, until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Drain well in a colander and rinse under cold water until asparagus is cool. Drain and pat dry with paper towels. Serve asparagus with roasted-garlic aioli.

SALMON WITH SAFFRON CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• Evenly spread saffron threads at the bottom of a small glass and top with 1 teaspoon of water.
• Place into a microwave oven towards the edge of the carousel with 200ml of water in a large glass at the opposite edge.
• Microwave on high for 3 minutes.
• WARNING - the water may be superheated - allow to rest 5 minutes before touching either glass.
• Remove the small glass and transfer the saffron / remaining liquid to a small mixing bowl (or for a single serve just leave in the glass).
• Mix through sour cream, lime juice and chopped chives mixing well and place in refrigerator while salmon cooks.
• Rub olive oil over the salmon and sprinkle with pepper.
• Cooking using your preferred techique, I grilled them on a BBQ plate over medium heat for about 7 minutes a side.
• Spread (it is quite thick) mixture over the salmon and serve with your favourite salads and side-dishes.

SAFFRON ORANGE AïOLI

Steps:

• Stir together saffron and water in a small bowl until saffron begins to dissolve (threads will still be intact). Transfer saffron mixture to a food processor along with remaining ingredients except oil, then pulse until combined. With motor running, add oil in a thin, steady stream until aïoli is thickened and emulsified. Transfer to a bowl and chill, covered, until ready to use.

POTATO CROQUETAS WITH SAFFRON AIOLI (SPAIN)

Steps:

• Prepare Croquetas:.
• Peel potatoes and cut into 1-inch pieces. Cover with salted cold water by 1 inch in a 2-quart saucepan, then boil until tender, about 8 minutes.
• Drain in a colander. Mash or force potatoes through a ricer into a medium bowl and cool.
• Lightly beat 1 egg in a small bowl with a fork.
• Add to cooled potatoes along with herbs, butter, salt, and pepper and stir until just combined.
• Spoon tablespoons of potato mixture onto a tray, then lightly roll each into a ball between palms of your hands and return to tray.
• Lightly beat remaining 2 eggs in a small bowl and set aside.
• Spread flour in a shallow bowl, then spread bread crumbs in another shallow bowl.
• Working in batches, roll balls in flour to coat, gently shaking off excess.
• Dip balls in egg, turning to coat and letting excess drip off, then roll in bread crumbs and return to tray. Chill, covered, for 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 200°F.
• Heat 1 1/2 inches oil in a pot.
• Working in batches, fry croquetas, turning if necessary, until browned, about 1 1/2 minutes per batch.
• Transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain, then transfer to a baking pan and keep warm in the oven while frying remaining croquetas.
• **Croquetas can be fried up to 3 hours ahead and kept at room temperature. Reheat in a preheated 400°F oven for 8 minutes.
• Prepare Saffron Aioli:.
• Put saffron threads in a small cup, then add hot water and let stand 5 minutes.
• Purée saffron mixture with remaining ingredients in a mini food processor or a blender until smooth.
• **Aioli can be made 2 days ahead and chilled, covered. Bring to room temperature before serving (this will take about 1 hour).