Saffron Butter Recipes

ROASTED HALIBUT WITH SAFFRON-FENNEL BUTTER

Steps:

• Combine 1 tablespoon butter and the saffron in a small microwave-safe bowl and microwave until the butter melts, about 1 minute. Let cool 5 minutes. Place the remaining butter and the fennel seeds in a food processor and pulse until smooth. Add the melted saffron butter, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper and continue pulsing until the butter is bright yellow. Transfer to a piece of plastic wrap and form into a 4-inch log; freeze until firm, about 20 minutes. (The saffron butter will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.)
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Toss the sliced fennel, garlic, the juice of 1/2 lemon, 1 tablespoon olive oil and 2 tablespoons water in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons water and season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cover with foil and bake until the fennel is tender, about 20 minutes.
• Toss the tomatoes with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Scatter the tomatoes over the fennel. Set the halibut on top of the vegetables; drizzle with the juice of the remaining 1/2 lemon and season with salt and pepper.
• Bake, uncovered, until the halibut is firm and no longer translucent, about 12 minutes; remove from the oven and top each piece with a thin slice of saffron butter. Return the halibut to the oven and bake until the butter just begins to melt, about 2 more minutes. Serve with fennel fronds.

POTATOES SIMMERED IN SAFFRON BUTTER

Steps:

• Cook unpeeled potatoes in large pot of boiling salted water until partially cooked, about 10 minutes. Cool 10 minutes. Slice potatoes into 1/2-inch-thick rounds. (Can be made 3 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.)
• Bring broth and saffron to simmer in large skillet over medium heat. Add butter. Reduce heat to low; add potatoes and simmer uncovered until tender and liquid is absorbed, turning potatoes once, 50 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

SAFFRON BUTTER CHICKEN WITH DATE & COUSCOUS STUFFING

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Melt half the butter in a pan over a medium heat and fry the onion until soft. Add the garlic, cumin, ginger and chilli, and cook for 2 mins more. Stir in the couscous, then pour over the stock and tip in the dates and barberries. Turn off the heat, cover and leave for 15 mins for the couscous to absorb the liquid.
• Use a fork to stir the walnuts, herbs and spring onions through the couscous. Leave to cool.
• Stuff the chicken with the cooled couscous mixture, pushing it well into the cavity. Let the excess spill out into the tin, then slide it under the chicken to act as a trivet. Rub the remaining butter all over the chicken. Season, then roast for 1 hr 15 mins. Keep an eye on it and if the couscous stuffing that's spilled out is getting too dark, cover it with foil.
• To make the saffron butter, melt the unsalted butter, then add a generous pinch of saffron and let this sit for about 30 mins, to allow the butter to be properly infused. About 10 mins before the end of the cooking time, pour over the chicken. Serve with Greek yogurt and a green salad, if you like.

GRILLED STRIPED BASS WITH ORANGE-SAFFRON BUTTER

Steps:

• Whisk butter, juice concentrate, vinegar, and saffron in small saucepan to blend. Season butter to taste with coarse salt and pepper. DO AHEAD Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and chill.
• Using small sharp knife, cut diagonal slits on both sides of fish at 1-inch intervals. Arrange fish on rimmed baking sheet. Sprinkle fresh orange juice and salt into slits and cavities of fish. Fill cavities with orange slices (about 3 per fish). Cover loosely and let stand at room temperature at least 30 minutes and up to 1 hour.
• Spray grill racks and fish generously with nonstick spray. Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Place saucepan with orange-saffron butter at edge of grill to warm through, stirring occasionally. Arrange fish on barbecue. Grill until just opaque in center, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer to plates. Serve with warm seasoned butter.

BUTTER SAFFRON SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine shallots, white wine, and vinegar in a small, heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat until the liquid has evaporated, about 5 minutes. Whisk in heavy cream, reduce heat to low and simmer until the mixture is reduced by half, about 10 minutes.
• Remove the sauce from heat and whisk in the butter, little by little, until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add saffron. Keep sauce warm over a double boiler until serving.

SAFFRON BUTTER

Steps:

• Cover the saffron threads with 2 teaspoons hot water and let it steep until the color emerges, after a few minutes.Work it into the butter, which has been brought to room temperature, with the remaining ingredients, using a wooden spoon.
• Move to a crock or place on wax paper and roll into a cylinder. Freeze until firm. Once frozen, slice into thin disks. Use as desired on vegetables, meat, fish, etc. Enjoy!

MUSSELS WITH SAFFRON BUTTER BROTH

Steps:

• Heat the butter and olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the shallots and garlic and cook until softened, about 4 minutes.
• Add the mussels, wine, saffron, and parsley and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Give it a good stir, cover the pot, and cook until all the mussels open, about 8 to 10 minutes. Discard any mussels that have not opened. Transfer to a large bowl and serve with crusty bread.

BUTTERY SAFFRON POTATOES

Steps:

• crumble saffron into water.
• heat butter in a skillet, then brown potatoes in 1 layer, turning over after 5 minutes.
• add water, salt,& pepper and simmer at medium, uncovered for 5 minutes.
• reduce heat to low and simmer 15-20 minutes more until water is evaporated.