Saffron Fettuccine Food

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.

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.

SAFFRON FETTUCCINE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add a large tablespoon of salt and the saffron. When the water boils furiously again, add the pasta. Stir to make sure the noodles don't stick together. (Do NOT add oil to the water!).
• Drain the cooked pasta well and add about 2 tablespoons unsalted butter to the pasta in its dish.

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.

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.

FETTUCCINE WITH SHIITAKES IN A SAFFRON CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Meanwhile, bring the wine to a boil in a small saucepan and add the saffron. Remove from heat and let it infuse for 5 minutes.
• Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook for 12 minutes, or until the pasta is just done.
• While pasta is cooking, heat the oil and butter in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the shallots, mushrooms, peppers (optional), salt and pepper. Cook until very lightly browned, about 5 minutes.
• Add the wine and saffron and boil for 2 mintues.
• Add the cream, bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes.
• If, like me, you reduced the volume of cream, the sauce may be runny. Make a slurry with a tablespoon of flour in two tablespoons water. Stir into the sauce and simmer until slightly thickened.
• Drain the pasta. Toss it with the sauce, parmesan and parsley. Serve immediately in large pasta bowls.