Saffron Fennel Salt 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.

SAFFRON SALT

Steps:

• In clean spice or coffee grinder, pulse together salt, saffron and 1/2 tsp (2 mL) water until vibrant yellow with a few saffron threads intact.
• Store in dark glass or nonreactive airtight container in cool dark place for up to 1 month.

SAFFRON-FENNEL SALT

Steps:

• Toast the fennel seeds in a dry skillet until they are fragrant.
• Using a mortar and pestle or spice grinder, finely grind the orange peel and chile. Add the fennel and grind until the seeds are coarsely ground. Blend the fennel mixture with the saffron and salt. Store in an airtight container.

FENNEL-SAFFRON COMPOTE

Steps:

• Heat oil in heavy large pot over medium heat. Add fennel, onions and fennel seeds; cook until fennel and onions are very tender, stirring occasionally, about 1 hour. Add garlic; stir 2 minutes. Add wine, broth and saffron; simmer until thick, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Rewarm over medium heat, stirring often, before using.)

SEAFOOD IN SAFFRON BROTH

Steps:

• Trim fennel stalks flush with bulb, discarding stalks. Finely chop fennel and onion. Seed tomato and finely chop. Mince garlic. Scrub mussels well and remove beards. Shell shrimp and devein. Cut scrod into 1-inch pieces. Stir saffron into wine.
• In a 4-quart kettle cook fennel and onion in oil over moderate heat, stirring, until slightly softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add wine mixture and simmer until reduced to about 1 tablespoon, about 3 minutes. Add mussels with 1/2 cup stock and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until most mussels are opened, about 2 minutes. Add shrimp, scrod, tomato, and remaining 2 1/2 cups stock and cook at a bare simmer until fish is just cooked through, about 2 minutes. (Discard any unopened mussels.) Season mixture with salt and pepper.
• Divide seafood between 2 bowls and ladle broth over it. Garnish seafood with lemon wedges and serve with bread.

SAUTéED FENNEL WITH ALMONDS, RAISINS, AND SAFFRON

Steps:

• Slice fennel lengthwise 1/4 inch thick. Coarsely crush almonds by firmly rolling over them with a rolling pin.
• Heat oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers, then sauté fennel with garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper until crisp-tender, about 6 minutes. Stir in almonds, raisins, coriander, zest, juice, and saffron and sauté until raisins start to plump, about 2 minutes.
• Stir in cilantro just before serving at room temperature.