Pasta With Saffron Seafood Sauce

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.

TAGLIATELLE WITH SEAFOOD, AND SAFFRON CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• Scrub all little neck clams in sink to remove any excess dirt or sand.
• I usually rub the shells gently together against each other, or use a vegetable scrub brush.
• Peel and devein shrimp.
• If using lobster, steam (2) 1-1 ½ lb lobsters until shells just turn red.
• The meat will cook finish cooking in the sauce.
• Remove tail and claw meat from the shells.
• I usually cut tails in half or thirds and leave the claws whole.
• In the meantime, soak the saffron in the white wine.
• Wine will start to turn reddish orange.
• Add a little oil and the garlic to a frying pan, and cook until softened.
• Add the clams (and/or mussels if using), shake pan a bit to coat the shellfish with the oil and garlic.
• Add the white wine and saffron mixture.
• Bring to a boil and cook until the shellfish opens, discard any shellfish that remain closed.
• Then, lay the rest of the seafood, parsley, and the cream on top.
• Simmer on low for 3 to 4 minutes or until shrimp turn pink.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Cook the tagliatelle in salted, boiling water until al dente.
• Drain and add to the fish, serve scattered with some of the leftover parsley.

TAGLIATELLE WITH SAFFRON, SEAFOOD, AND CREAM

Steps:

• Soak the saffron in the white wine. Add a little oil and the garlic to a frying pan, and cook until softened. Add the clams and mussels, shake the pan around, and add the white wine and saffron mixture. Bring to a boil and cook until the shellfish opens, discard any shellfish that remain closed.
• Then, lay the rest of the seafood, parsley, and the cream on top. Simmer for 3 to 4 minutes and season to taste. Cook the tagliatelle in salted, boiling water until al dente. Drain and add to the fish, serve scattered with some of the leftover parsley and an extra drizzle of olive oil.

PASTA WITH SAFFRON SHRIMP AND SCALLOPS

Steps:

• The day before the party, make the base for the pasta seafood topping. Melt the butter in a skillet. When the foaming subsides, add the shallots, carrot and celery. Cover and cook over low heat for 10 to 15 minutes or until very tender and almost dissolved in butter. (If at any time the vegetables begin to stick to the skillet, add a tablespoonful of water or wine.) Uncover the skillet, add the saffron and white wine and boil over high heat until almost all of the wine has evaporated. Add the fish stock and simmer for 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper (do in advance up to this point.) Boil the pasta until al dente. While this is cooking, add the heavy cream to the skillet and simmer again until the sauce is slightly thickened. Add the shrimp and scallops and simmer just until the seafood is cooked through. Add the tomatoes and simmer just for a minute to warm them through without really cooking them. Adjust the seasoning. Drain the pasta and portion it out among 6 warm pasta bowls. Ladle the saffron seafood sauce over the top and garnish with warm microwaved peas.

PAPPARDELLE IN SAFFRON CREAM

Steps:

• Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the shallot and saffron and cook, stirring occasionally, until the shallot is softened, about 2 minutes. Add the cream, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste; increase the heat to medium high and simmer until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Stir in the lemon juice and vanilla.
• Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook as the label directs. Remove 1/4 cup cooking water, then drain the pasta and transfer to the skillet with the sauce. Add the reserved cooking water, the parmesan and half of the chives and toss to coat. Serve topped with the lemon zest, remaining chives and more cheese.