Saffron Pistachios Recipes

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.

SAFFRON PISTACHIO BLONDIES

Steps:

• Make the bars: Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper such that the paper spills out over the sides of the pan, like wings.
• In a food processor, pulse the pistachios until the nuts are very finely ground. Don't let them get pasty. Add the flour, salt, baking powder and cardamom and pulse to combine.
• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together melted butter and brown sugar until smooth and shiny. (The butter will separate at first, then blend in.) Whisk in the eggs until incorporated. Add the pistachio mixture and mix with a silicone spatula to combine. Gently stir in the white chocolate chips until evenly distributed. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread in an even layer.
• Bake until the sides are brown and pull away from the pan, and the middle is slightly paler in color, 25 to 27 minutes. A toothpick inserted in the center will come out with a few crumbs attached. Cool completely in the pan on a rack.
• While the bars cool, make the frosting: Finely grind the saffron threads in a mortar using a pestle or in a microwave-safe bowl using the back of a spoon. If needed, transfer the ground saffron to a microwave-safe bowl or to a small saucepan if you don't have a microwave. Stir in the milk, and microwave on high or heat over medium until the mixture is frothing around the edges but not boiling, about 30 seconds. Place the bowl in the refrigerator or freezer to quickly cool the mixture.
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl, use an electric hand or stand mixer or a heavy whisk or wooden spoon to beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth. If working by hand, this takes some muscle. Add the confectioners' sugar and salt and beat again until homogeneous and no clumps of sugar remain. Beat in the cooled saffron milk until well-combined. The frosting will turn a bright golden hue.
• Once the bars have cooled completely, scrape the frosting over the top, and use a spatula to spread it evenly. Crush or chop some pistachios for garnish and sprinkle all over the top. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before eating. The bars keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for 1 month.

SAFFRON CARDAMOM ICE CREAM WITH PISTACHIOS

Steps:

• Combine the milk, cream, saffron and bring to a boil in a heavy saucepan .
• Remove pan from heat and let cream mixture stand, covered, for 1 hour.
• Return pan to the heat and bring mixture to just simering.
• In another bowl, whisk egg yolks, sugar and pinch of salt together.
• Add 1/2 cup of the cream mixture to the eggs & blend to temper them.
• After mixing, add the rest of the cream to the egg mix in a steady stream, whisking to blend well.
• Pour the entire mixture back into the pan.
• Cook this custard over moderate low heat, stirring until a thermometer reaches 170°F.
• Strain through a fine sieve into another bowl and stir in cardamom.
• Let custard cool completely and freeze in ice cream freezer according to manufacturer's recommendations.
• Add pistachios during last few minutes of freezing/churning time.

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.