SBD Frequently Asked Questions - recipe with saffron- Question!!!!

There is a recipe in the Quick and Easy Cookbook that I have been dying to try because it looks so good in the picture, but it calls for saffron. The only grocery store I found that carries it around here is Schnucks, and it is 15 dollars for a small bottle with a little envalope inside. I know it is the most expensive spice, but what is its flavor and is there a substitute? Anyone know?

I made that recipe and that saffron was really expensive! There is no substitute. It is quite a unique flavor and doesn't keep terribly long. If you have ever had yellow rice, it gets its flavor from the saffron.

You could use a dash of turmeric, which would give you the color but not the flavor of saffron.

zoey

Barb- Was it worth it? Do you feel the recipe needed the saffron? Also, did you use the jar red pepper? I was thinking of trying regular red pepper.

I used the wrong red pepper. You could roast your own red pepper and it would be fine. We didn't like the recipe that well and probably won't try it again but then my DH doesn't care for chicken and it turns out he doesn't like saffron either.

you know what you might try? in the rice aisle they sell saffron rice in little yellow bags (it might be called yellow rice) for like $0.59, we used to eat it all the time. You could check the package and see what the ingredients are and then if it's SBD friendly just use the powder not the rice. It's obviously not straight saffron but it does have the flavor

I've seen cooks use annatto seeds/oil to substitute for saffron. It's used frequently in Latin American/Mexican/Carribbean cuisine. I have never used it myself so I have no idea on the taste:

http://allrecipes.com/advice/coll/spice/articles/780P1.asp

i always substitute tumeric for saffron if I don't happen to have saffron- Go for it

so I found the saffron rice at the store, but am wondering if it is approved...it is made from long grain rice?

Is the spicing in a small package inside the package of rice? I think it was being suggested to use the seasoning package and not use the rice since the rice is not allowed. I would still have to know the ingredients on the seasoning to know if it contains any ingredients that are not SB approved.

i don't think the packet is seperate....so I can't use it then?

If the ingredients are all allowed except the rice you could try to separate the rice and then use the seasonings in the recipe. I would think it would be easier to just buy saffron or use one of the other alternatives that have been suggested here.