Saffron/5 recipes

Tandoori roasted whole chicken marinated in saffron-lemon juice and spiced yogurt with coriander, cumin, ginger, and garlic. Oven-roasted for a golden, aromatic crust.

Yellow shrimp marinates jumbo shrimp in saffron, shallots, thyme, and lemon, then broils until charred at the edges. Served over rice with the saffron-stained pan drippings spooned on top.

Mouclade, the classic French Bordeaux mussel dish steamed with shallots, white wine, saffron, and cream. Like moules marière's richer, golden cousin.

Traditional challah bread with saffron, white raisins, and poppy seeds. A slow two-day cold rise develops deep flavor in these golden braided loaves.

Taka hallah, a saffron-tinted challah bread with white raisins and poppy seeds, braided and baked golden. A two-day refrigerator rise makes this Shabbat loaf extra flavorful.

Saffron-kissed almond biscotti with bright lemon zest and a glossy egg-white glaze. Twice-baked until dry and crisp, these Italian cookies actually improve after a few days in a paper bag.

Shereen Polo is a Persian jeweled rice pilau with saffron, julienned carrots, orange peel, almonds, pistachios, and rose water in sugar syrup. Served with crispy tahdig and a side of chicken stew.

L'Hootz F'Tadjeen is a North African fish tagine with saffron, potatoes, carrots, and tomatoes layered and simmered in olive oil. A one-pot Sephardic-style fish stew finished with lemon juice and pimento.

Skillet chicken paella with boneless chicken breast, long grain rice, saffron, oregano, stewed tomatoes, sweet red pepper, and frozen peas. A weeknight, no-paella-pan version of the Spanish classic. One pan, 40 minutes.

Lasagna Sarde is a Sardinian-style pasta with lobster, saffron, potatoes, overripe tomatoes, and white wine tossed with fettuccine. A rustic Italian seafood pasta that celebrates simple, bold ingredients.

A meatless lasagne layered with saffron-scented crushed tomatoes, roasted red peppers, sweet peas, orange zest, and bubbly mozzarella. Spanish flair meets Italian comfort.

Paella burgers: ground chicken, chopped chorizo, and shrimp patties flavored with saffron, garlic, and pinot noir, grilled and stacked on sourdough rolls with charred onion, red pepper, and a saffron aioli.

Here I adapted an 18th century English spice cake recipe which also makes nice cupcakes.

Avocado halves stuffed with saffron pastina, chopped tomatoes, scallions, parsley, and vinaigrette. An elegant lunch main or dinner first course with golden, fragrant pasta filling.

From a manuscript in the British Library known as Harleian 479, dating from around 1420; recipe adapted.

Juicy grilled sirloin-chorizo patties topped with caramelized onions, saffron-roasted red pepper ranch sauce, and shaved Manchego cheese. This is the burger upgrade your backyard has been begging for.