Was saffron something you grew up with, or did you start using it slowly? Maybe your mom or grandma introduced it to you in a special way?
I remember the first time my mom gave me saffron milk when I was feeling sick after periods like a 11 year old puberty hit girl. She told me it was a ‘golden remedy’ passed down through generations. At the time, I didn’t realize how powerful those tiny strands were, but over the years, I have come to appreciate their magic.
It is pure magic in the kitchen it’s like a tiny golden thread that can transform any dish with its aroma, color, and flavor. But let’s be honest, when you’ve got a toddler running around and a million things to do, sometimes you forget about those precious strands tucked away in the fridge! That’s exactly what happened to me.
I had stored mine in the fridge, thinking it would stay fresh (rookie mistake!). When I took it out to use in my dessert, I realized the moisture had made it a little dull and less fragrant. No way was I going to let good strands go to waste!
So, I tried a little hack toasting it on a pan for a few seconds. And guess what? It worked like a charm! Here’s how I did it:
How to Revive Refrigerated Saffron
- I removed the saffron from the fridge and let it rest at normal temperature for 5-10 mins.
- I heated a dry pan on low heat (important: LOW heat, or it’ll burn!).
- Dropped the strands in and let them warm up for 5-10 seconds they became crisp and released a beautiful aroma.
- Crushed the toasted strands and soaked them in warm milk for about 15 minutes to let the color and flavor bloom.
- Used this golden infusion in my dessert (Ras Malai this time!) and wow, it took the flavor to a whole new level!
The result? A rich, aromatic, and beautifully colored dessert with that deep essence shining through. Moral of the story: If your saffron has lost its punch, just give it a quick toast, and it’ll be back in action!
And guess what? Recently on Celebrity MasterChef India, Chef Ranveer Brar shared a similar trick! He mentioned that toasting it restores its magic, and using ice with it enhances its color. It’s amazing to see that these little kitchen hacks are not just home remedies but also chef-approved techniques!
How to Identify Pure Saffron (A Family Trick!)
Many people don’t know how to tell if their saffron is authentic. If you have a method you use, like a trick your mom or grandma taught you, you could add it:
- The water test: Drop a few strands in warm water. Pure saffron will slowly release color without immediately dissolving. Fake saffron may turn the water bright yellow right away.
- The smell test: Authentic saffron has a sweet yet slightly bitter, hay-like aroma. If it smells artificial, it’s likely fake.
A Family Recipe Using Saffron
A quick recipe infused milk and almonds recipe
- 1 glass warm milk
- 3-4 strands
- 1 tbsp crushed almonds
- A pinch of cardamom powder
- 1 tsp honey or sugar (optional) I sometimes used jaggery powder
Mix everything and let it infuse for 10 minutes before drinking. Perfect for digestion and relaxation! And this recipe worked wonders to soothe down my acidity during pregnancy. If you’re struggling with acidity during pregnancy, give this remedy a try and let me know if it works for you too!
Would love to know if you’ve tried this trick! Do you have any saffron hacks of your own? Spill them over tea! 😉💛✨
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