[Closed] Cookerists & chefy types, saffron in...

just use a bit of tumeric instead. It'll be fine.

As far as I can see, saffron is basically just like red string.

Use string. Red string if you must.

Use string. Red string if you must.

I never got saffron, given that gram for gram it's the second most expensive substance on the planet after HP printer ink and it's sole purpose seems to turn things yellow.

just use a bit of tumeric instead

just use a bit of turmeric instead

How much though? A teaspoonful? Dessert spoon? Table spoon, Ladle?

FWIW my pan is 45cm & I've only ever used turmeric in curries.

[quote=esselgruntfuttock ]just use a bit of turmeric instead
How much though? A teaspoonful? Dessert spoon? Table spoon, Ladle?
FWIW my pan is 45cm & I've only ever used turmeric in curries.

I'd use a ladle and a half

Saffron is nice, and you only need a tiny amount - you don't need to flout internal law by buying black market Persian saffron, it's usually £2 for a little bag in a jar in Sainsburys

What else are you putting in and in what quantities?

You're just using it for the yellow colour, you don't want the flavour (turmeric has quite an antiseptic taste) so just enough to add a bit of colour, not so much that everything tastes of tcp

it's usually £2 for a little bag in a jar in Sainsburys

£4.00 in Moribongo's for 4gms IIR!

What else are you putting in and in what quantities?

This much...

https://realfood.tesco.com/recipes/paella.html

It's a around £2.50 on eBay delivered a gram will last you ages.

Tumeric works but as others have said it flavours the paella.

I'm not a chef but I reckon 1/2 tspn of turmeric would be fine instead of saffron for that recipe.

Turmeric is bitter, avoid it in paella. Or use a ladle and a half

Spanish saffron is very different to the expensive stuff. What you'll buy in shops here is the cheap stuff. I wouldn't bother.

I'm lucky enough to have plenty persian family and a tub of the good stuff is their favourite gift. I use it in stews, sometimes rice, and it makes a world of difference.

I'd stick in a bit of turmeric. A family meal size pan I'd probably use half a teaspoon. Just don't drop food on a nice white table as it can stain!

Spanish saffron is very different to the expensive stuff. What you'll buy in shops here is the cheap stuff.

I've read that five times and I still can't parse it.

Talking about paella I recently bought two of those paella pans ... the proper carbon steel type. John Lewis stock them too.

Anyhow avoid using turmeric as it will be bitter.

You might as well buy some lower grade saffron.

Go to TK Maxx as they have some cheap saffron from Spain.

giantalkali - Member
Turmeric is bitter, avoid it in paella.

Or use a ladle and a half

glasgowdan - Member
Spanish saffron is very different to the expensive stuff.

Me mate from Persia has the proper stuff as they use them a lot in their cooking ... 😛

Edit: I also bought some paella rice, sweet & smoked paprika from TK Maxx. For the rice the best one is from a region in Spain for paella. Apparently paella is very famous in Valencia. 😛

Persian is around the same price though.

Apparently paella is very famous in Valencia.

esselgruntfuttock - Member

Apparently paella is very famous in Valencia.

I think it originates from there, but do they use Spanish saffron, Persian saffron or turmeric? (or none of those)

That depends on whether they can grow saffron in Spain, while the rest of the ingredients can be grown in Spain ...

I cannot remember if white wine is needed in cooking paella coz I just bought a bottle for it ... need to check again later.

Plenty of fish, squids, shell fish, meat etc ...

For me I shall add a special ingredient to enhance the taste ... a bit of MSG ... 😆

That depends on whether they can grow saffron in Spain, while the rest of the ingredients can be grown in Spain ...

It's a crocus it's grown in various countries.

Drac - Moderator

That depends on whether they can grow saffron in Spain, while the rest of the ingredients can be grown in Spain ...

It's a crocus it's grown in various countries.

Me Persian mate is very proud of his saffron ... 😛

what on earth are you all talking about? Saffron is essential in Paella and tumeric is not a valid substitute !

howsyourdad1 +1 Other than turmeric and saffron both turning things yellow they have nothing else in common .Saffron is an integral part of the dish .

what on earth are you all talking about? Saffron is essential in Paella and tumeric is not a valid substitute !

Well I've emailed Poolman, he lives in Spain, he'll know!

In the recipe I'm using it says 'a large pinch of saffron'. WTF?
Depends how big your pinches are I suppose.

Why not substitute a ladle of E110? It certainly used to be popular.

http://www.ukfoodguide.net/e110.htm

Saffron, as said, not expensive and gives an authentic taste.

I love razorclams in there, just need to watch as they're so easy overcook.

Point of order. Some Mediterranean countries refer to turmeric as "saffron" hence the term "a pinch".

I can imagine an expensive "pinch" of saffron coz you might end up pinching the entire bottle (normally not much in there). 🙂

Eh? You can pinch saffron though.

obvs only ever had shit saffron, coz quite frankly it does nothing for me!

1/2 teaspoon of turmeric, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, tesco chicken stock (not the cubes liquid stuff) is more important ime

Drac - Moderator
Eh? You can pinch saffron though.

Saffron strands ... one pinch ... £4 please ... 😛

[img] [/img]

Those saffron from Kashmir 50g = £147.90 😛

What?

Drac - Moderator
What?

That depends where you get it from but either way Scapegoat's post makes no sense.

Too much saffron ruins pretty much anything it goes in, its flavour can easily over-power, but paella without it doesn't taste like paella...

The fact that it colours the rice is largely irrelevant.

Drac, I was once given a jar of "saffron" by someone returning from Minorca. It was a yellow powder that looked, smelled and tasted suspiciously like turmeric. The saffron I have used comes in strands, and every recipe I've used it in calls for a "strand" not s pinch. That help?

Using turmeric instead of saffron is like using a badger when you need a penguin, just cos they're the same colour means nothing

Point of order. Some Mediterranean countries refer to turmeric as "saffron" hence the term "a pinch"

I think you (or your friend) got ripped off. Like buying oregano when you think it is weed. Classic.

There is fake saffron and there is a test, something about kitchen paper and the colour seeping out of it ..

Using turmeric instead of saffron is like using a badger when you need a penguin, just cos they're the same colour means nothing

This. Plus I'm genuinely laughing out loud here so this wins the internet for today.

Your friend gave you either Tumeric or crap Saffron powder, Saffron is strands and you can pinch strands it's the measure used more than often. Hope that helps.

Using turmeric instead of saffron is like using a badger when you need a penguin, just cos they're the same colour means nothing

I've been to a natural history museum that would make you think otherwise. I think they've redisplayed it now, but when I visited the Horniman Museum the had a model of a miniature model of an elephant, a real stuff armadillo and a large replica flea all displayed together in the same case - seemingly because they were all grey and about a foot long.

The real thing is great

Ever been to Tumeric Walden ?

In the 16th–17th centuries the saffron crocus (Crocus sativus) was widely grown, thanks to the town's favourable soil and climate. The flower was valuable, as the extract from the stigmas was used in medicines, as a condiment, in perfume, as an aphrodisiac, and as an expensive yellow dye. The industry gave Walden its name.[2]

Like buying oregano when you think it is weed.

Have you been watching Spaced?

giantalkali - Member
Using turmeric instead of saffron is like using a badger when you need a penguin, just cos they're the same colour means nothing

^^^ This is very funny. Good one. Cheer me up this morning. 😆

Been using a pinch of strands on tonight's chicken kebabs [img] [/img]

Someone's doing well...

Yeah, not to brag but that's like a million pounds worth right there

Is that Mediterranean turmeric?

glasgowdan - Member
Been using a pinch of strands on tonight's chicken kebabs

That's a lot of saffron for kebabs ... 😯

Are those Persian saffron coz I have never seen saffron packed that way.

How much are they? 😛

That's Persian saffron as brought over by family members. No idea how much they are...!

glasgowdan - Member
That's Persian saffron as brought over by family members. No idea how much they are...!

I see. I think I am going to get me mate to buy some next time he goes home. 😛

Is that not ginger hair clippings?

Saffron from Fortnum & Mason at £15 for 0.2 grams ... 😮

Using turmeric instead of saffron is like using a badger when you need a penguin, just cos they're the same colour means nothing

Tomorrow night's dinner party guests are going to be disappointed in my "Penguin" a l'Orange, then. It will, at least be orange though thanks to the saffron.