Saffron Seafood Soup With Aioli

SAFFRON AIOLI

Steps:

• Steep the saffron threads in warm water for about 10 minutes. Drain water, but don't allow threads to dry out.
• Combine mayonnaise, and lemon juice with a wire whisk, mixing together until uniform.
• Add pressed garlic, only 1/2 of saffron threads, 1 teaspoon of saffron powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper and continue to mix once again until uniform in texture.
• Use remaining saffron threads to garnish aioli in a small ramekin, bowl, or directly on top of food. Serve cool to slightly below room temperature.

SAFFRON SEAFOOD SOUP WITH AIOLI

Steps:

• Cut the fish fillets into inch-and-a-half pieces. Peel the shrimp; cut the scallops in half if they are large. Sprinkle the saffron threads into half a cup of water and set aside.
• Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a heavy casserole or stock pot. Saute the onion, garlic, carrot and chopped celery stalk until soft and golden. Add the fish stock or clam juice to the vegetables with the saffron water and cook, uncovered, for 10 minutes.
• Add fish, scallops and shrimp and cook four to five minutes. Remove from heat, season with salt and pepper and sprinkle with parsley. Serve the stew in heated bowls, passing the bread and aioli separately.

SAFFRON AïOLI

Steps:

• Put the saffron in a small bowl with 1 tbsp boiling water. Leave for 10 mins to cool and for the water to turn a golden colour.
• Meanwhile, put the egg yolks, garlic, mustard and lemon juice in a jug or a tall container with a pinch of salt and blitz with a stick blender (or in a food processor) until smooth. Slowly add the olive oil, a small drizzle at a time, keeping the blender on, until you get a thick, glossy mayonnaise. Season with black pepper, then stir in the saffron water to loosen the aïoli and turn it a golden hue. Cover the surface and chill until ready to serve. Add a splash of water or lemon juice, to serve, if your aïoli thickens up too much in the fridge.

SAFFRON ALIOLI

Steps:

• 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.

ALFRESCO DINING - SEAFOOD PAELLA AND SAFFRON AIOLI

Steps:

• Use a mixer, fitted with the whisk attachment, and combine egg yolks, garlic, saffron, and a pinch of salt; whisk at high speed, while adding oil, drop by drop (this is important because otherwise mixture will not thicken properly).
• As the aioli begins to thicken you can increase the oil to a thin stream; adjust seasonings with a squeeze of lemon juice and/or more salt, if needed.
• In a paella pan with lid or large deep-sided skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat; add onion and saute until softened and golden, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, coarsely grate the tomatoes, cut side, until only the skins remain and discard skins; you should have about 2 cups of tomatoes.
• Stir the tomatoes, peppers, and bay leaves into the onions; season with paprika.
• Simmer, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid evaporates, about 15 minutes.
• Add the stock, bring to a boil, then stir in the rice; reduce heat to medium and simmer 10 minutes, stirring to prevent the rice from sticking.
• Stir in the peas, squid, mussels or clams, and shrimp; turn heat to low and simmer until nearly all the liquid has evaporated, about 10 minutes.
• Cover with lid, remove from heat, and let rest 5 to 10 minutes; sprinkle with parsley and let cool.
• Serve with saffron aioli and lemon wedges.

SAFFRON AIOLI

Steps:

• Place saffron in a small bowl with water; set aside.
• Use a mortar and pestle to mash garlic and a pinch of salt to a fine paste. Add mustard and incorporate. Add egg yolks and mix well. Add saffron-water mixture and stir to incorporate. Slowly add half the oil, drop by drop at first, and then in a slow steady stream, while mixing with the pestle. (Thin with about a tablespoon of warm water if mixture is too thick.) Continue incorporating oil until all of it is absorbed. Thin with additional water if needed, and season with salt to taste.

FISH SOUP WITH AïOLI CROUTONS

Steps:

• Whisk first 5 ingredients and 3 tablespoons oil in small bowl to blend. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (Aioli can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Heat remaining 3 tablespoons oil in heavy large pot over medium heat. Add leeks, carrots, fennel, and shallots; sauté until golden brown, about 15 minutes. Add garlic and sauté 2 minutes. Mix in tomatoes, tomato paste, thyme, and saffron. Add wine and boil 5 minutes. Add 5 cups stock and bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes to blend flavors. Add fish and simmer until fish is cooked through, about 5 minutes. Cool slightly.
• Working in batches, puree soup in blender. Working in batches, strain soup through coarse sieve set over large bowl, pressing firmly to force as much of solids as possible through sieve. Return soup to pot. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.)
• Spread enough aioli over each toast to cover. Bring soup to simmer, thinning with more stock, if desired. Ladle soup into bowls. Top each with 2 toasts. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.

SEAFOOD PAELLA AND SAFFRON AIOLI

Steps:

• To make the aioli: In a mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, combine the egg yolks, garlic clove, saffron and a pinch of salt. Whisk at high speed while adding the oil drop by drop. As the mixture thickens, increase the oil to a very thin trickle until it is used up and the aioli is thick and wobbly. Adjust the seasoning with a squeeze of lemon juice and more salt, if needed.
• To make the paella: In a large deep-sided frying pan or paella pan with a lid, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until soft and golden, about 15 minutes.
• Coarsely grate the tomatoes, cut side down, until only the skin remains. Discard the skins. There should be about 2 cups.
• Stir the tomatoes, peppers, bay leaves and paprika into the onion. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until no liquid remains, about 15 minutes. Add the stock, bring to a boil and pour in the rice. Stir and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring a few times to prevent sticking.
• Add the peas, squid, mussels or clams, and shrimp, incorporating everything into the rice. Simmer over low heat until nearly all the liquid has disappeared, about 10 minutes. Cover with a lid, remove from heat and rest for 5 to 10 minutes more. Scatter with parsley and cool. Serve with the saffron aioli and lemon wedges.