Tuesday, November 11, 2008

saffron memories

i've always loved saffron.. the world's most expensive spice by weight, dried crocus stigmas, luminous color, beautiful aroma. i recall when i was a kid.. dad making risotto and me being the one who prepared saffron.. i would carefully open the little bag, one dose packaging, saffron in powder.. and make it melt in warm water.. smelling the perfume, watching the color changing.

risotto alla milanese is just so good.. saffron and parmigiano cheese.. marvellous match, melting in mouth rice, the meat stock aroma in the background.
in italy we also have the strega (literal meaning: witch) a herbal liqueur, sort of digestif, colored with saffron (and tasting like hell since it's about 40% vol eheheh) and i remember my grandparents had this bottle of yellowish stuff in the living room.. i was fascinated by that but i must admit when i eventually tasted a drop of it i was quite a disappointed kid :D

just lately, maybe a couple of years or so, i've been trying saffron in sweet food for real.. and i really like saffron buns and saffron bread, so delicious :)
these scones are so yummy.. i just tried to mix some saffron in a basic recipe and they came out awesome, i didnt expect such a good result! definitely one of my fav scone ever.
saffron scones
(makes 6-8)
300g plain flour
60g sugar
60g butter
120ml milk
a pinch of salt
baking powder
saffron and nutmeg, ground

melt saffron in warm milk. mix flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and nutmeg. rub the ingredients with butter till fine crumbs and mix in milk. flatten the dough (about 2.5cm thick) and cut rounds.
bake the scones for about 15min in preheated oven at 180°C.

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