Best Saffron Aïoli Recipes

DUKKAH-CRUSTED CHICKEN TENDERS WITH LEMON-SAFFRON AIOLI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Combine mayonnaise, lemon peel, garlic, lemon brine, cayenne pepper, and saffron in a mini food processor; blend until smooth, scraping down sides once or twice. Refrigerate aioli until ready to use.
• Place egg whites into a dish or bowl. Place dukkah into a second dish. Dip chicken tenders first into egg whites, letting excess drip off, then coat with dukkah. Place tenders on the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until chicken is no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, turning over halfway through, 12 to 15 minutes total. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

SAFFRON AïOLI

Steps:

• Put the saffron in a small bowl with 1 tbsp boiling water. Leave for 10 mins to cool and for the water to turn a golden colour.
• Meanwhile, put the egg yolks, garlic, mustard and lemon juice in a jug or a tall container with a pinch of salt and blitz with a stick blender (or in a food processor) until smooth. Slowly add the olive oil, a small drizzle at a time, keeping the blender on, until you get a thick, glossy mayonnaise. Season with black pepper, then stir in the saffron water to loosen the aïoli and turn it a golden hue. Cover the surface and chill until ready to serve. Add a splash of water or lemon juice, to serve, if your aïoli thickens up too much in the fridge.

GRILLED ASPARAGUS WITH SAFFRON AïOLI

Steps:

• For aioli:
• Whisk vinegar, honey, and saffron threads in heavy small saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to boil. Remove from heat. Cool completely. Mix mayonnaise and garlic in medium bowl to blend. Mix in cooled vinegar mixture. Season aioli to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• For asparagus:
• Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Toss asparagus with oil on rimmed baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill asparagus until crisp-tender, turning occasionally, about 5 minutes. Transfer to platter. Drizzle aioli over asparagus. Sprinkle with bell pepper.

STEAMED CLAMS WITH CHORIZO, CITRUS AND SAFFRON AIOLI

Steps:

• Heat olive oil. Add the garlic cloves and let infuse the oil. Slice chorizo into 1/2-inch coins. Add chorizo into pan and render. Add clams. Pour wine over clams. Cover pan and let clams steam, about 5 minutes, or until all the clams have opened. Once cooked through, discard any clams that have not opened. Finish by squeezing half an orange over clams. Remove clams and chorizo using slotted spoon into large bowl. With the remaining broth, whisk in Saffron Aioli. Pour mixture over clams and chorizo. Sprinkle with parsley.
• Steep saffron in hot water. In a blender, add garlic, egg yolks, almonds, salt, orange juice, saffron and blend. While blending, drizzle in the olive oil and emulsify. Thin with a little water, if desired.

SAFFRON AIOLI

Steps:

• Steep the saffron threads in warm water for about 10 minutes. Drain water, but don't allow threads to dry out.
• Combine mayonnaise, and lemon juice with a wire whisk, mixing together until uniform.
• Add pressed garlic, only 1/2 of saffron threads, 1 teaspoon of saffron powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper and continue to mix once again until uniform in texture.
• Use remaining saffron threads to garnish aioli in a small ramekin, bowl, or directly on top of food. Serve cool to slightly below room temperature.

SEA SCALLOP BROCHETTES WITH ORANGE-SAFFRON AïOLI

Steps:

• For aioli:
• Whisk yolks, 4 tablespoons orange juice, and saffron in medium metal bowl. Set bowl over saucepan of barely simmering water (do not let bowl touch water). Whisk until thickened and thermometer registers 160°F, about 4 minutes. Transfer to processor. Add orange peel and garlic. With machine running, gradually add oil in thin stream until incorporated, stopping to scrape down sides of bowl. Transfer to medium bowl. Whisk in lemon juice and 2 tablespoons orange juice. Thin with water by teaspoonfuls, if desired. Season with salt and pepper. Do ahead Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; chill.
• For brochettes:
• Thread 3 scallops on 1 skewer alternately with 2 bay leaves. Place on rimmed baking sheet. Repeat with remaining scallops, skewers, and bay leaves. Do ahead Can be prepared 2 hours ahead. Cover and chill. Sprinkle scallops with salt and pepper.
• Heat griddle or 2 heavy large skillets ssor grill pans over high heat; brush with oil. Cook scallops until brown and just opaque in center, about 2 minutes per side. Place 1 brochette on each of 8 plates. Drizzle scallops with aioli. Garnish with orange sections and chives.

SAFFRON SEAFOOD SOUP WITH AIOLI

Steps:

• Cut the fish fillets into inch-and-a-half pieces. Peel the shrimp; cut the scallops in half if they are large. Sprinkle the saffron threads into half a cup of water and set aside.
• Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a heavy casserole or stock pot. Saute the onion, garlic, carrot and chopped celery stalk until soft and golden. Add the fish stock or clam juice to the vegetables with the saffron water and cook, uncovered, for 10 minutes.
• Add fish, scallops and shrimp and cook four to five minutes. Remove from heat, season with salt and pepper and sprinkle with parsley. Serve the stew in heated bowls, passing the bread and aioli separately.

SAFFRON-GARLIC AIOLI

Steps:

• Combine garlic, potato, Dijon mustard, infused saffron, red wine vinegar and water in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth and add olive oil slowly to emulsify. Adjust seasonings with salt, pepper, and lemon juice.;

SAFFRON AIOLI

Steps:

• Place saffron in a small bowl with water; set aside.
• Use a mortar and pestle to mash garlic and a pinch of salt to a fine paste. Add mustard and incorporate. Add egg yolks and mix well. Add saffron-water mixture and stir to incorporate. Slowly add half the oil, drop by drop at first, and then in a slow steady stream, while mixing with the pestle. (Thin with about a tablespoon of warm water if mixture is too thick.) Continue incorporating oil until all of it is absorbed. Thin with additional water if needed, and season with salt to taste.

SEA SCALLOPS WITH SAFFRON AIOLI

Steps:

• Put the orange juice and saffron in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook for about 1 minute, until orange juice is infused with the saffron; stir in the zest and remove from the heat to cool slightly. Whisk the orange mixture and the mayonnaise in a small bowl until combined. Season with salt and set aside while you cook the scallops.
• Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Pat the scallops dry with a paper towel and season well with salt and pepper. When the oil is rippling, add the scallops and sear, turning once, until golden brown but still opaque in the center, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove the scallops from the skillet to serving dishes, (3 to 4 per person), and drizzle with the aioli. Serve immediately.

ROASTED SWEET POTATO WEDGES WITH SAFFRON AIOLI

Steps:

• To make the aioli: Lightly sprinkle the garlic with a pinch of the salt and smash it into a paste with the side of a cook's knife. Set aside.
• Pour about 2 inches of water into a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
• In a medium, heatproof bowl, whisk together the remaining salt, egg yolk, vinegar, water, lemon juice, and saffron until light and frothy. Place the bowl over the simmering water and whisk constantly until the yolk mixture is just warmer than room temperature, about 20 seconds. Remove from the heat and whisk in the garlic paste.
• While whisking constantly, gradually drizzle in the olive oil until a smooth and slightly thick sauce is formed. Store in the refrigerator until ready to use.
• Meanwhile, make the sweet potatoes: Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 425 degrees F.
• Put a baking sheet on the center rack and preheat for 10 minutes.
• Quarter the sweet potatoes and leave the skins on. In a large bowl, toss the wedges with the olive oil. Carefully remove the hot baking sheet from the oven and place the wedges evenly spaced on the pan, cut-side down. Bake until the bottoms of the potatoes are lightly browned, about 15 minutes.
• Carefully remove the hot baking sheet from the oven. Turn the wedges so the other cut side comes in contact with the hot baking sheet. Continue to bake the sweet potatoes until both sides are browned and tender, about 15 minutes more.
• To serve, arrange the sweet potatoes on a platter, and season with salt, to taste. Drizzle the potatoes with some of the aioli. Serve warm.
• Cook's Note: We recommend golden olive oil for its smooth finish and low acidity. The golden color comes from olive pressed at the peak of ripeness. These oils are made on California, southern France, and Sicily.
• Copyright 2001 Television Food Network, GP. All rights reserved
• *RAW EGG WARNING
• Food Network Kitchens suggest caution in consuming raw and lightly-cooked eggs due to the slight risk of Salmonella or other food-borne illness. To reduce this risk, we recommend you use only fresh, properly-refrigerated, clean, grade A or AA eggs with intact shells, and avoid contact between the yolks or whites and the shell.

STEAMED MUSSELS WITH PERNOD, CELERY ROOT AND SAFFRON AïOLI

Steps:

• Make aioli:
• Combine 1 tablespoon hot water and saffron in medium bowl. Let stand 5 minutes. Whisk in mayonnaise and garlic. Season to taste with salt. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Make mussels:
• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in heavy large pot over medium heat. Add celery root, leek, carrots, chopped celery and 4 tablespoons parsley. Stir to coat. Cover pot and cook until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes. Add garlic and sauté 1 minute. Add mussels, wine and Pernod. Increase heat to high. Cover and cook until mussels open, stirring occasionally, about 6 minutes (discard any mussels that do not open). Remove from heat. Season cooking liquid to taste with salt and pepper.
• Whisk 1/2 cup cooking liquid into aioli to make thin sauce. Ladle mussels and remaining cooking liquid into 6 bowls. Drizzle each serving with some aioli. Sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons parsley. Serve mussels, passing re-maining aioli separately.

FARMERS' MARKET NEW POTATOES WITH SAFFRON AïOLI

Steps:

• Bring 1 tablespoon water to boil in small saucepan. Add saffron. Remove from heat. Cover and let steep 15 minutes. Mix in paprika, then mayonnaise, olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic. (Aioli can be made 2 days ahead. Cover; chill.)
• Place potatoes in pot with enough cold salted water to cover. Bring to boil and cook until just tender, about 25 minutes. Drain. Cool slightly. Press gently on potatoes to split skins and crack open. Sprinkle with fleur de sel.
• Place 2 potatoes on each of 6 plates. Drizzle with saffron aioli; sprinkle with cilantro and serve.
• *Smoked hot paprika from Spain, called pimentón de la Vera, is available at some specialty foods stores and by mail order from Tienda.com.

SEAFOOD PAELLA AND SAFFRON AIOLI

Steps:

• To make the aioli: In a mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, combine the egg yolks, garlic clove, saffron and a pinch of salt. Whisk at high speed while adding the oil drop by drop. As the mixture thickens, increase the oil to a very thin trickle until it is used up and the aioli is thick and wobbly. Adjust the seasoning with a squeeze of lemon juice and more salt, if needed.
• To make the paella: In a large deep-sided frying pan or paella pan with a lid, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until soft and golden, about 15 minutes.
• Coarsely grate the tomatoes, cut side down, until only the skin remains. Discard the skins. There should be about 2 cups.
• Stir the tomatoes, peppers, bay leaves and paprika into the onion. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until no liquid remains, about 15 minutes. Add the stock, bring to a boil and pour in the rice. Stir and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring a few times to prevent sticking.
• Add the peas, squid, mussels or clams, and shrimp, incorporating everything into the rice. Simmer over low heat until nearly all the liquid has disappeared, about 10 minutes. Cover with a lid, remove from heat and rest for 5 to 10 minutes more. Scatter with parsley and cool. Serve with the saffron aioli and lemon wedges.

POTATO CROQUETAS WITH SAFFRON AIOLI (SPAIN)

Steps:

• Prepare Croquetas:.
• Peel potatoes and cut into 1-inch pieces. Cover with salted cold water by 1 inch in a 2-quart saucepan, then boil until tender, about 8 minutes.
• Drain in a colander. Mash or force potatoes through a ricer into a medium bowl and cool.
• Lightly beat 1 egg in a small bowl with a fork.
• Add to cooled potatoes along with herbs, butter, salt, and pepper and stir until just combined.
• Spoon tablespoons of potato mixture onto a tray, then lightly roll each into a ball between palms of your hands and return to tray.
• Lightly beat remaining 2 eggs in a small bowl and set aside.
• Spread flour in a shallow bowl, then spread bread crumbs in another shallow bowl.
• Working in batches, roll balls in flour to coat, gently shaking off excess.
• Dip balls in egg, turning to coat and letting excess drip off, then roll in bread crumbs and return to tray. Chill, covered, for 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 200°F.
• Heat 1 1/2 inches oil in a pot.
• Working in batches, fry croquetas, turning if necessary, until browned, about 1 1/2 minutes per batch.
• Transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain, then transfer to a baking pan and keep warm in the oven while frying remaining croquetas.
• **Croquetas can be fried up to 3 hours ahead and kept at room temperature. Reheat in a preheated 400°F oven for 8 minutes.
• Prepare Saffron Aioli:.
• Put saffron threads in a small cup, then add hot water and let stand 5 minutes.
• Purée saffron mixture with remaining ingredients in a mini food processor or a blender until smooth.
• **Aioli can be made 2 days ahead and chilled, covered. Bring to room temperature before serving (this will take about 1 hour).

BAKED YAMS WITH SAFFRON AIOLI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Prick each yam with a fork in a few spots and arrange on a baking sheet. Bake until soft, about 45 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat the olive oil, grapeseed oil, whole garlic cloves and saffron in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until the garlic is soft, about 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool completely. Remove the cooked garlic with a slotted spoon and transfer to a cutting board (reserve the infused oil). Using the flat side of a chef's knife, mash the garlic with a pinch of salt until smooth; set aside.
• Make the aioli: Put the egg yolks, lemon juice, 1 tablespoon water and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a medium heatproof bowl. Bring a few inches of water to a bare simmer in a medium saucepan, then turn off the heat. Set the bowl with the egg yolks over the saucepan (do not let the bowl touch the water); whisk just until the egg mixture thickens slightly, 30 seconds to 1 minute, then remove the bowl from the saucepan. Using a hand mixer or a whisk, gradually beat in the saffron-infused oil in a slow, steady stream until the aioli is thick and creamy. (If it gets too thick, beat in 1 to 2 teaspoons water.) Mix in the mashed cooked garlic, grated fresh garlic and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cover and refrigerate.
• Remove the yams from the oven and let cool slightly. Split open and fluff the insides with a fork. Thin the aioli with water, if desired, and spoon onto the yams. Sprinkle with parsley.

GRILLED ASPARAGUS WITH SAFFRON AIOLI

Steps:

• For Aioli: Whisk vinegar, honey, and saffron threads in heavy small saucepan over medium-high heat.
• Bring to a boil and remove from heat.
• Cool completely.
• Mix mayonnaise and garlic in medium bowl to blend.
• Mix in cooled vinegar mixture.
• Season aioli to taste with salt and pepper.
• (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.).
• For Asparagus: Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat.) Toss asparagus with oil on rimmed baking sheet.
• Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Grill asparagus until crisp-tender, turning occasionally, about 5 minutes.
• Transfer to platter.
• Drizzle aioli over asparagus.
• Sprinkle with bell pepper.

POTATO CROQUETTES WITH SAFFRON AIOLI

Steps:

• For Aioli.
• Put saffron and hot water in a small cup, let stand 5 minutes.
• Puree with remaining Aioli ingredients in a blender, refrigerate.
• For Croquettes.
• Put diced potatoes in a pot, cover with water and boil 10 minutes until tender.
• Drain.
• Mash with a masher and cool.
• Beat 1 egg, add to potatoes with herbs, butter, salt and pepper.
• Form into small balls on a plate.
• Beat remaining 2 eggs in a bowl.
• Add flour to one plate and bread crumbs to another.
• Roll the potato balls in flour, dip into eggs, roll in bread crumbs.
• Place on a tray lined with foil.
• Chill for 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 200°F.
• Heat oil in a pot until temp reaches 360--or use a deep fryer.
• Fry in batches until browned.
• Transfer to paper towels to drain, then place on a tray in the oven to keep warm.
• Serve croquettes with saffron aioli.

SAFFRON ORANGE AïOLI

Steps:

• Stir together saffron and water in a small bowl until saffron begins to dissolve (threads will still be intact). Transfer saffron mixture to a food processor along with remaining ingredients except oil, then pulse until combined. With motor running, add oil in a thin, steady stream until aïoli is thickened and emulsified. Transfer to a bowl and chill, covered, until ready to use.

DIRTY RICE ARANCINI WITH SAFFRON AIOLI

Steps:

• For the dirty rice arancini: Place the chicken stock in a small pot with a fat pinch of saffron and bring to a simmer. Let simmer for a few minutes to infuse. Keep warm over low heat.
• Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a medium saucepan. Add the chicken livers and hearts and saute until cooked through. Deglaze the pan with the sweet vermouth and let evaporate. Remove the hearts and livers from the pan and set aside.
• To the same pot, add the remaining tablespoon olive oil. Add the pancetta and cook until browned and crisp. Add the onions and garlic; cook for a few minutes. Add the rice and toast for another 3 to 4 minutes. Deglaze the pan with the white wine and let evaporate. Begin adding the warm stock a ladleful at a time. Cook, stirring constantly, until the rice has absorbed all of the stock before adding the next ladleful. Do this for 17 minutes. When finished, remove the risotto from the heat and stir in the chicken hearts and livers, the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and the Parmesan. Add salt and pepper to taste. Pour the risotto onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and place in the refrigerator to cool.
• Heat the oil in a deep fryer to 350 degrees F..
• Set up a breading station: In the first shallow dish, place the flour and season with salt and pepper. In the next dish, add the beaten eggs and a touch of water; season with salt and pepper. In the last dish, mix together the breadcrumbs, cornmeal, pecorino, parsley, fennel pollen, red pepper flakes, orange zest and lemon zest.
• Take the cooled risotto out of the fridge, form into Ping-Pong-ball-size balls and roll tightly. Dredge the rice balls in the flour, then the egg wash and then in the breadcrumb mixture. Fry in batches until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Remove to a paper-towel-lined plate and season with salt.
• For the saffron aioli: Place a small skillet over medium-low heat. Add the olive oil, followed by the garlic, lemon zest, orange zest and saffron. Cook for 1 minute. Set aside to cool.
• In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the egg yolk and mustard. Whisking constantly, slowly stream in the grapeseed oil to emulsify. When all of the oil has been added, season with salt and lemon juice. Stir in the cooled saffron mixture to combine.
• Serve the arancini on a plate with saffron aioli and lemon wedges.