Anyone Use Saffron?

Discussion in 'The Green Patch' started by Hanzo, Jan 11, 2015.


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  1. Hanzo

    Hanzo Monkey+++

    One of my tai chi students was a chef. Years ago, he gave me a bag of saffron. I didn't want to take it because saffron is so expensive. But when he said he had more than he could use in his lifetime, I thankfully took a small bag.

    About five years later, I still have much of it. I use it for stuff like saffron rice, paella, chicken tikka masala and such.

    Tonight's dinner, as requested by the monkeys, was chicken tikka masala with saffron rice.

    Rice is about to get cooked.

    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1420953234.052800.

    Made a huge pot of chicken tikka masala. My brother-in-law had surgery, so made extra to share.

    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1420953283.488838.

    Had two big servings and they were plated very nicely, but I didn't remember to take a picture until after my burp. ;)

    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1420953339.543542.
     
    Dunerunner, ditch witch and Yard Dart like this.
  2. Hanzo

    Hanzo Monkey+++

    I miss him. A very interesting man... a chef and a Kajukenbo master. What a combo!
     
  3. Hanzo

    Hanzo Monkey+++

    And such a small world too. I had actually met him 30 some years prior. He was already a master and teacher then I think he was in his 40's at the time. By coincidence I got to work out with him. I was either in my late teens or early 20's. One day we are working out and he tells me one of his students got ganged up on and beat up by a Samoan gang in an infamous housing area. It was fairly close to where I lived. I grew up in a rougher neighborhood.

    So he tells me he got all his black belts together and they are going to the housing area for retribution against the gang. I passed on attending. He even reassured me he called the local police station to give them a heads up that they will be getting a call or alarm, but to please wait at least 30 minutes before rolling. Different era back then. No one died, that I know of. But apparently it was a pretty epic fight.

    Fast forward to today. One of my current students is a Kajukenbo expert and trained with the other older teacher. Talk about coincidence. No such thing! Another of my current students is a retired cop... who was stationed at that very same station and remembers the incident. Talk about seven degrees of separation. I guess Kevin Bacon is a long lost brother or something.
     
  4. Mindgrinder

    Mindgrinder Karma Pirate Ninja|RIP 12-25-2017

    I got my safron from a cab driver from Kashmir....it's quite strong and I use it in most soups and even in pickled eggs!
    Pity I can't grow it in BC...I know it's just a couple hairs per plant but I'd be keen to see how much more intense it would be fresh.
     
    Hanzo likes this.
  5. Witch Doctor 01

    Witch Doctor 01 Mojo Maker

    Made a big batch of Chicken Briyani and a curried rice ring for my father the other night... I have used saffron in Paella in the past but it is cost prohibitive... as high as $20.00 for small amounts of dried spice. I have used small amounts of turmeric, and safflower as a substitute...
     
    Hanzo likes this.
  6. KAS

    KAS Monkey+++

    Hanzooo
    i dont have a clue what is in that bowl but becarefull eating it ....
     
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  7. kellory

    kellory An unemployed Jester, is nobody's fool. Banned

    Perhaps in your grow tower, under conditions you have set up?hmmm?;)
     
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  8. KAS

    KAS Monkey+++

    am i going crazy or did i actually see people selling them grown towers for 450$
     
    Hanzo likes this.
  9. Dunerunner

    Dunerunner Brewery Monkey Moderator

    Too expensive for me. I substitute with Turmeric... :(
     
    Hanzo likes this.
  10. Hanzo

    Hanzo Monkey+++


    I only have dried too.
     
  11. Hanzo

    Hanzo Monkey+++


    I wouldn't buy it either. But got about a 10 year supply from my student. I have been generous using it, so I have about fives year's worth left.
     
  12. Hanzo

    Hanzo Monkey+++


    I use turmeric with the saffron.
     
  13. Hanzo

    Hanzo Monkey+++

    Not turmeric, but my little monkey wanted loco moco for breakfast.

    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1421008368.261940.

    A layer of rice, hamburger steak, egg and brown gravy.

    So monkey tells me the loco moco was her PRE breakfast. The cheesecake after was her PRE breakfast dessert. All washed down with a big cup of milk. She is athletic and active like I was when I was younger. She is eating like I did too, except much healthier, thanks to her mom. So as soon as we cleaned up, she grabs this Japanese thing my client gave us. It is like two light Japanese pancakes with chestnuts and azuki beans stuffed in between.
     
  14. Dunerunner

    Dunerunner Brewery Monkey Moderator

    [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG] Yum!!!
     
    Hanzo likes this.
  15. Motomom34

    Motomom34 Monkey+++

    I used to make an incredible bean dish with saffron. It certainly adds flavor to a dish. That was kind of your student to give such a large amount. You got me thinking @Hanzo, I need to dig out that recipe.
     
    Hanzo likes this.
  16. Hanzo

    Hanzo Monkey+++


    That WAS super nice. As a chef, I think he got his more than enough for a lifetime stash for free. As we talked about food and cooking, he later brought some for me.
     
  17. CrufflerJJ

    CrufflerJJ Monkey++

    I like using saffron (among a few zillion other spices) when cooking. I've bought saffron & vanilla (extract & beans) from Welcome to Vanilla Saffron Imports since 2008. They're out in the San Francisco area, and sell a most excellent quality saffron. They sell it in a variety of package sizes from 1 gram up to 1 ounce. Their website also offers some saffron basics for those who are new to the spice. See:

    Vanilla, Saffron, Imports | Saffron: The Consumer Guide to Purchasing Saffron

    Their saffron ordering page:
    Saffron Order Page

    They sell vanilla beans from Tahiti, Madagascar, and Mexico. See: Vanilla Beans Order Page .

    I like to buy larger amounts of vanilla beans, and re-vacuum pack smaller quantities as gifts. Some years ago, they sold vanilla scented soap (a nice gift), but this no longer seems to be available from them.

    I'd rate their saffron & vanilla AS GOOD as the spices you'd get from Penzeys, but at a significantly better price.
     
    Hanzo likes this.
  18. Hanzo

    Hanzo Monkey+++



    Thanks for the info. Hope they are around when I run out.
     
  19. Hanzo

    Hanzo Monkey+++

    Today was a beautiful day. Traffic was ugly, but the day, gorgeous.

    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1421050964.098807.

    Had a great salad for dinner. Mixed greens, tomatoes, ube (Okinawan sweet potato), mushrooms, sautéed mushrooms, avocado, can't remember what else. Except for the fish cake and tofu poke my neighbor brought over. Often, when I share food, I get food shared back.

    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1421051133.162558.
     
  20. Mindgrinder

    Mindgrinder Karma Pirate Ninja|RIP 12-25-2017

    I paid closer to $800 with shipping and accessories.
    :-/
     
    Hanzo likes this.
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