STEP BY STEP PHOTOS ABOVE!Have a look at my step-by-step photo instructions, variations and tips. That way, you can get it perfect the first time you try it!
Saffron spaghetti cooked risotto-style is a dish that harmoniously blends the famous Italian tradition of pasta with the creamy, constant stirring method characteristic of risotto.Saffron, a golden and aromatic spice, is reminiscent of the streets of Persia and the paella dishes of Spain. When infused with the pasta, it elevates the spaghetti to a luxurious delicacy, tinting it with a gentle yellow and gracing it with a unique, aromatic flavor.
50gParmigiano Reggiano~½ cup, grated + more to serve
Instructions
first prepare a vegetable broth with carrots, onions, celery, potatoes and various flavorings. You can also prepare the broth 1 or 2 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. When it's ready, put the broth on low heat and let it simmer while you wait to use it.
Then chop the onion finely and set aside.
Bring plenty of water to a boil to cook the pasta and add salt. Dip the spaghetti without breaking them up. Cook them for 2 minutes, no more! The spaghetti should be soft enough to bend, but still uncooked.
Meanwhile, in a large pan sauté the onion in extra virgin olive oil and butter over low heat for a couple of minutes.
When the onion is translucent, drain the still uncooked spaghetti and put them in the pan with the onion. Stir and allow the spaghetti to take on flavor.
Then turn the heat up to medium and add a ladle of broth.
Cook the spaghetti in the broth over medium heat for 5 minutes.
Taste the pasta often to figure out the degree of cooking! This is the hardest part. Be careful not to overcook the pasta. Better to add the broth a little at a time and taste.
When it's about 2 minutes to the end of cooking time, dissolve the saffron in some of the broth, about ¼ cup.
Add the saffron and stir. Raise the heat to high and finish cooking.
Turn off the heat. Add grated Parmigiano cheese and plenty of freshly ground black pepper and stir.
Saffron spaghetti cooked risotto-style are ready. Serve them immediately hot and creamy with an additional sprinkling of Parmigiano and freshly ground black pepper. Buon appetito!