Nutella Frosted Saffron Cupcakes

January 31, 2012April 22, 20122 Comments

I decided to make Saffron Cupcakes for my Saffron dessert post.

Hmmm. What kind of frosting?

Well, of course I had to pair these yummy cupcakes with Nutella frosting!

The result was better than expected and the flavor combination was perfect….

I took some cupcakes in for my coworkers to sample. They loved them!

You will find both recipes below….

Enjoy! Denise

P.S. if you want, swap out the frosting with Saffron Buttercream instead….

Saffron Cupcakes

1 box Pound Cake Mix (I used Betty Crocker)
2/3 cup Milk
2 Eggs
1/2 cup Butter, softened
1/4 teaspoon ground Cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon Saffron
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
6 Ferrero Rocher Chocolates, chopped
Powder Sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray mini-bundt cake pan with cooking spray or line your cupcake tins. Set aside.
Place saffron in the mortar and pestil. Press to crumble the threads.

Warm milk for 45-60 seconds. Add saffron and allow to steep for ten minutes.

Add cake mix, steeped milk, eggs, butter, cinnamon and vanilla to a large mixing bowl.

Mix on low for 30 seconds. Increase mixer speed to medium and mix for 3 minutes.

Fill each mini-bundt halfway. Smooth tops with a spoon.
Bake for 20 minutes (or until cake tester comes out clean).

Remove from baking pan and cool on a wire rack.
Fill the center of the mini-bundt cakes with Nutella Frosting (see recipe listed below).
Top with chopped with chocolates.
Dust with powdered sugar.

Nutella Frosting

1-1/2 cups Powdered Sugar
3-4 tablespoons Hazlenut-flavored Creamer
1/4 cup Nutella

Add all ingredients to a medium bowl.
Mix at a medium speed until you get to a creamy frosting consistency.

Note: If you prefer a traditional cupcake, fill the cupcake liners 2/3 full. Frost as you like with the Nutella Frosting and place half of a Ferrero Rocher chocolate on top.

Saffron Tea for Two

January 26, 2012April 22, 2012Leave a comment

Recently, I went to my local Mediterranean store to buy saffron.

The store owner told me that I had to try it in my tea. She explained the process to me.

Below is my take on the recipe…

It is so worth the splurge!

Next time you buy saffron, be sure to treat yourself to this beverage.

Enjoy!

Denise

Saffron Tea for Two

2 Cups of Boiling Water
2 Green Tea Bags
Pinch Saffron

Place tea bags and saffron in your tea filter.

Pour boiling water over tea bags/saffron.Cover and steep 3-5 minutes.

Serve (adding your favorite sweetener).

Yum!

Creamy Saffron Pastina with Mini Turkey Meatballs

January 18, 2012April 22, 2012Leave a comment

This month I am cooking with one of my favorite spices…Saffron!

I love the floral aroma and gorgeous color it adds to food.

My first recipe combines two of my favorite comfort foods…creamy pastina and mini meatball soup.

The addition of saffron along with the layering of flavors and textures is absolute perfection.

Everyone at my dinner table agreed that this dish is a new regular…. Hope you try it and enjoy it as much as we did.

Best part? The leftovers were even better the next day!

Enjoy! Denise

Creamy Saffron Pastina with Turkey Mini Meatballs

2 tablespoons of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 Shallot, finely chopped
1-1/2 teaspoons Saffron threads, divided
64 ounces of Chicken Stock
20.8 ounces of Ground Turkey Breast
2 carrots, chopped
2 cups of Frozen Petite Peas
1/2 teaspoon ground Nutmeg, divided
1 Bay Leaf
1 Egg
1 teaspoon of Italian Seasoning
1/2 cup grated Parmesan Cheese
1/2 cup Panko Breadcrumbs
1/4 teaspoon of Hot Paprika
One box (13.25 ounces) of Mini Pasta Shells
10 oz. Lite Alfredo Sauce
Salt & Pepper

1. Prepare Mini Turkey Meatballs

In a large bowl, mix the ground turkey, egg, parmesan, breadcrumbs, hot paprika, Italian seasoning, 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg, salt and pepper to taste.
Roll into mini meatballs ( about 1 rounded teaspoon each) and set aside.

2. Prepare Saffron Stock and Cook Mini Turkey Meatballs

In a large stock pot, warm the extra virgin olive oil over medium high heat.
Add the shallots. Cook until shallots are translucent.
Add chicken stock, carrots , bay leaf, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, salt and pepper (to taste).
Bring to a boil. Add 3/4-1 teaspoon of saffron and frozen peas.
Simmer until carrots are tender (about 15 minutes).
Drop mini meatballs into the saffron stock.
Simmer for 15-20 minutes until turkey is thoroughly cooked.
Keep warm.

3. Prepare Pasta

Bring water to a boil.
Add remaining 1/2 teaspoon saffron to pasta water.
Add pasta to the boiling water. (Check pasta box for cooking times.)
When pasta is cooked to al dente, drain pasta (reserving 1 cup of the pasta water).

4. Prepare Saffron Pasta Sauce

In a large saucepan, warm the Alfredo sauce. Whisk in 1 cup of the reserved pasta water and 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper.
Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer for 5-10 minutes.
Toss pasta with Saffron Pasta Sauce to coat.