Cooking with Saffron in Fine Dining

A Guide to Saffron Dishes and Wine Pairings

In this guide, we will show you some of the most popular and classic dishes that use saffron, as well as some of the more creative and modern ways to use saffron in fine dining. We will also discuss some of the best wine pairings for saffron dishes, depending on the type of cuisine, the main ingredient, and the sauce.

We will also show you why our premium Super Negin Saffron, the top grade of saffron in the world, is the best option for your business. Our saffron is sourced directly from the best saffron farms in Qayen, the capital city of saffron in the Khorasan Province. Our saffron is hand-harvested, hand-separated, and hand-dried, following the traditional and organic methods. Our saffron is also tested and certified by the ISO 3632 norms, ensuring that it meets the highest standards of quality.

What are the Best Saffron Dishes for Fine Dining?

Saffron is used in many cuisines around the world, especially in Persian, Indian, Spanish, and Italian dishes. Saffron can enhance the flavor, color, and aroma of various dishes, from rice and pasta, to chicken and seafood, to cake and ice cream. Here are some of the best saffron dishes for fine dining, along with some brief descriptions of how to make them:

• Saffron rice: A simple but delicious dish of rice cooked with saffron, butter, salt, and water. It can be served as a side dish or a main course with meat, vegetables, or nuts. Saffron rice is popular in Iran, India, and Spain, where it is called paella. To make saffron rice, you need to soak the saffron threads in hot water, then add them to the rice and water mixture, and cook until the rice is fluffy and yellow.
• Saffron chicken: A savory dish of chicken cooked with saffron, onion, garlic, lemon, and herbs. It can be made with different sauces, such as yogurt, cream, or tomato. Saffron chicken is common in Persian, Indian, and Moroccan cuisines, where it is called zaffran, murgh kesar, or tagine, respectively. To make saffron chicken, you need to marinate the chicken pieces with saffron, lemon juice, salt, and pepper, then brown them in a skillet, and simmer them with the onion, garlic, and sauce of your choice.
• Saffron cake: A sweet and moist cake flavored with saffron, butter, eggs, sugar, and flour. It can be topped with icing, nuts, or dried fruits. Saffron cake is a traditional dessert in Sweden, where it is called lussekatter, and in Cornwall, England, where it is called saffron bun. To make saffron cake, you need to melt the butter with the saffron threads, then whisk them with the eggs and sugar, and fold in the flour and baking powder. Then bake the cake in a preheated oven until golden and done.
• Saffron ice cream: A creamy and refreshing dessert made with saffron, milk, cream, sugar, and eggs. It can be served with fruits, nuts, or honey. Saffron ice cream is a delicacy in Iran, where it is called bastani sonnati, and in Italy, where it is called gelato allo zafferano. To make saffron ice cream, you need to heat the milk and cream with the saffron threads, then whisk them with the sugar and egg yolks, and cook until thickened. Then chill the mixture and churn it in an ice cream maker until frozen.
• Saffron pasta: A rich and elegant dish of pasta cooked with saffron, butter, cheese, and cream. It can be mixed with seafood, chicken, or vegetables. Saffron pasta is a specialty in Italy, where it is called pasta allo zafferano, and in France, where it is called pâtes au safran. To make saffron pasta, you need to cook the pasta in salted water with the saffron threads, then drain and toss them with the butter, cheese, and cream. Then add the seafood, chicken, or vegetables of your choice and serve hot.
• Saffron risotto: A creamy and flavorful dish of rice cooked with saffron, broth, butter, cheese, and wine. It can be garnished with meat, seafood, or mushrooms. Saffron risotto is a classic dish in Italy, where it is called risotto alla milanese, and in Spain, where it is called arroz con azafrán. To make saffron risotto, you need to sauté the rice in butter, then add the wine and saffron, and gradually stir in the broth until the rice is creamy and al dente. Then stir in the cheese and season with salt and pepper.

What are the Best Wine Pairings for Saffron Dishes?

Saffron dishes can be paired with different wines, depending on the type of cuisine, the main ingredient, and the sauce. Here are some general guidelines, as well as some specific suggestions, for pairing wines with saffron dishes:

• For saffron dishes with rice, pasta, or chicken, you can pair them with dry white wines, light red wines, or sparkling wines, depending on the intensity and complexity of the dish. For example, you can pair saffron rice with a Sauvignon Blanc, saffron pasta with a Pinot Noir, or saffron chicken with a Cava Brut.
• For saffron dishes with seafood, you can pair them with dry white wines, sparkling wines, or rosé wines, depending on the freshness and acidity of the dish. For example, you can pair saffron seafood paella with a Rueda, saffron seafood pasta with a Lugana, or saffron seafood stew with a Rosé.
• For saffron dishes with dessert, you can pair them with sweet white wines, sparkling wines, or dessert wines, depending on the sweetness and richness of the dish. For example, you can pair saffron cake with a Gewurztraminer Late Harvest, saffron ice cream with a Moscato, or saffron creme brulee with a Sauternes.

We hope this guide inspires you to cook with saffron in fine dining, and to pair your saffron dishes with the best wines. If you are looking for the best saffron for your business, look no further than our premium Super Negin Saffron. Order now and discover the difference that our saffron can make for you and your customers.