Saffron Pistachios Food

PISTACHIO, CARDAMOM AND SAFFRON COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a multi-cavity cookie tray (e.g. mini muffin tray, a muffin-top tray or a hemisphere pan) with the 1 tablespoon butter and set aside to chill.
• Combine the warm milk with the saffron threads, stir and set aside for 5 minutes until the saffron threads begin to bloom and the milk takes on a golden hue.
• Cream the remaining 1/2 cup butter with the granulated sugar in a large mixing bowl for 2 to 3 minutes until the butter is soft and the sugar has melted in. Add the crushed cardamom pods, finely chopped pistachios, the saffron milk with the saffron threads and a pinch of grated nutmeg if using and the pandanus water. Mix until well combined. Slowly add in the all-purpose flour and salt and mix well again. The mixture will be sandy in texture. Use a spatula to break up any lumps and stir it all until well combined and there are no dry spots.
• Portion the cookie mixture using an ice cream scoop and scoop it directly into the prepared chilled cookie tray. Lightly compress the mixture into the cavity using the back of a spoon. Fill each cavity to the top as these cookies will not rise. Chill any unused cookie mixture between bakes.
• Bake for 12 to 14 minutes or until the edges begin to lightly brown. The cookies do not change color or rise during baking. Carefully unmold from the cookie tray. Place them on a wire rack and allow them to cool completely before storing in an airtight container in a cool place until ready to decorate.
• To decorate: Arrange the cookies on a wire rack with a drip pan or cookie sheet underneath.
• Bring a few inches of water to a simmer in a medium saucepan. Place the melting white chocolate wafers in a heatproof bowl over the simmering water. The bottom of the bowl must not touch the water. Maintain a slow simmer and do not let the water boil. Using a silicone spatula, stir until the chocolate is melted. Quickly stir in one pinch of saffron threads while the chocolate is warm.
• Carefully pour the white chocolate over the cookies or dunk cookies into the chocolate. Alternatively, use a spoon to drizzle the melted chocolate over each cookie. Sprinkle the pistachio slivers, gold dust or sprinkles and more saffron threads before the chocolate hardens. Cool completely.
• Serve when the chocolate is firm.
• Store in a cool, airtight container for up to a week.

BASTANI (PERSIAN ROSE WATER, SAFFRON AND PISTACHIO ICE CREAM)

Steps:

• In a medium thick-bottomed bot, slowly heat the milk to boiling while stirring. Add the vanilla extract and saffron. Continue to cook on low heat, stirring occasionally while doing the next step.
• Beat the egg yolks with the sugar until smooth and foamy. Very carefully and slowly, pour the egg/sugar mixture into the milk. Make sure to stir it rapidly with a fork or use a whisk while pouring (or you will end up with scrambled eggs in the ice cream!).
• Continue heating the mixture on low heat while stirring constantly with a wooden spoon until thickened (it should be foamy and coat the spoon).
• Pour the custard mixture into a bowl, and refrigerate until well chilled.
• Once cold, stir in the cream, rose water or extract, and chopped pistachios.
• Churn in an ice cream maker until finished (or, stick in the freezer and vigorously stir every 30 minutes or so to break up the ice crystals, until it is homogenous and frozen).

SAFFRON RISOTTO WITH PISTACHIOS

Steps:

• Melt butter in a skillet over medium-high heat; add onion. Saute 5 minutes. Add saffron; saute 1 minute. Add rice; cok 2 minutes, stirring constantly. reduce heat to medium; add vermouth and 2 cups broth. Cook, stirrinng constantly, until liquid is absorbed.
• Repeat procedure with remaining broth, 1/2 cup at a time. (Cooking time is 30-45 minutes) Remove from heat; stir in cheese and pistachios.

PISTA KESAR KULFI (PISTACHIO AND SAFFRON KULFI)

Steps:

• Pour the evaporated milk, cream, and sugar into a saucepan and bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring it fairly frequently to ensure it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan.
• When it starts to boil, turn the heat down, add the ground pistachios and saffron, and simmer for around 5 minutes.
• Transfer to a bowl and leave to cool down, then put in the fridge. When it is cold, pour into kulfi molds or a freezable container, cover and freeze for 2 to 3 hours.
• To remove the kulfis from their molds, dip them into hot water for a second, turn them upside down over a plate, and give them a sharp tap on the top.
• Serve with a sprinkling of chopped pistachios.

SAFFRON, PISTACHIO & WHITE CHOCOLATE COOKIES

Steps:

• Warm the milk in a saucepan with the saffron. Once steaming, take off the heat and whisk in the melted butter, then put in the fridge to chill completely. Whisk the egg with the caster sugar until light and fluffy - this will take around 3-5 mins, then add the cooled butter and light brown sugar and whisk briefly to combine. Tip in the flour, baking powder and a big pinch of salt, and use a spatula or the paddle attachment of a stand mixer to combine - be careful not to over mix it.
• Fold in the chocolate and pistachios, then tip the mixture onto a piece of baking parchment. Roll it up in the parchment into a thick, compact log and twist the ends to make a cracker shape. Wrap in cling film, then put in the fridge for at least a couple of hours to chill - leave it overnight if you have time.
• When ready to bake, heat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5 and line a baking sheet with baking parchment. Unwrap the cookie log and use a sharp knife to slice into thick 1cm disks, space out on the sheet (you might need to do this in two batches) and bake for 12-15 mins until set and golden around the edges, but still soft. Allow to cool a little, then move to a wire rack to cool completely. Will keep for 2-3 days in an airtight container.