• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About
  • Shop
  • Contact
OMG! Yummy
  • Recipes
  • Cookbook!
  • Tasting Jerusalem
  • Jewish Recipes
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipe Index
  • Cookbook!
  • Tasting Jerusalem
  • Jewish Recipes
  • Shop
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Chicken and Turkey Recipes » All About Saffron and a Recipe for Ottolenghi’s Chicken with Jerusalem Artichoke and Lemon

    All About Saffron and a Recipe for Ottolenghi’s Chicken with Jerusalem Artichoke and Lemon

    by Beth Lee · Published: Nov 9, 2014 · Modified: Feb 11, 2021

    134 shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    “… the minute you taste the saffron in a dish, there is too much.”

    (Michel Richard, Citronelle, Wash DC quoted in “The Flavor Bible”)

    saffron

    Well that’s good to know since this colorful, aromatic spice can cost as much as $3,000 per pound! Yet it is on Louisa Shafia’s list of essential Persian ingredients in her book The New Persian Kitchen. Saffron has such a distinct, delicate, flowery taste, Shafia says. “Light, fluffy, perfectly cooked rice is a part of almost every Persian meal, and rice is almost always seasoned with saffron.”

    Ottolenghi and Tamimi use it in seven dishes in Jerusalem: A Cookbook and Ottolenghi calls it out in four dishes in Plenty More. So for November 2014, this exotic spice is the topic – make it a splurge for your elegant holiday meals.

    In case you are not already familiar with this pricey, orange-red spice, it is actually the red stigma you see when you look at a crocus flower. Each strand has to be hand-picked and it can take as much as 70,000 flowers to make just 10 pounds of dried saffron.

    Alan Davidson’s The Oxford Companion to Food describes saffron as having a “spicy, pungent, bitter taste and tenacious odour.”

    In just the right small amount, it imparts a wonderful flavor and stunning color to a dish.

    Two Types of Saffron

    When you shop for saffron, you will usually find two types – either of Persian origin or from Spain. According to The Oxford Companion to Food: It was first cultivated in Western Asia, particularly Persia. Cultivation dates back to the 3rd century. In the 13th century, cultivation spread to Italy, France and Germany.

    saffron

    Expert Advice on using Saffron

    From Paula Wolfert’s The Food of Morocco: For the best flavor, saffron should be brittle before being pulverized. To do this put in a warm pan on a very low heat. When brittle, they’re ready to be pulverized with a mortar and pestle. Wolfert recommends turning saffron into saffron water—saying it’s economical and brings out more of the aroma and flavor than adding the threads to a dish. To make it, dry ½ tsp crumbled strands in warm skillet. Crush, then soak in 1 cup hot water. Store up to a week in the fridge. (You can also freeze it into ice cubes)

    Similar to Wolfert, Shafia says: “Grind up the saffron in a mortar and pestle and let it steep in hot water, milk, butter, or stock before using.”

    Further confirming Wolfert and Shafia, an article from the Huffington Post by Julie R. Thomson says that saffron begins to release its flavor in hot liquid in 20 minutes but continues to do so for 24 hours and that’s why many dishes with saffron in them taste even better the next day.

    Saffron Recipes from “Jerusalem”:

    Fava Bean Kuku, pg 39 (photo courtesy of Yumivore)

    saffron

    Saffron rice with barberries, pistachio and mixed herbs, pg 105

    saffron

    Seafood and fennel soup, pg 136

    Pistachio soup, pg 138

    saffron

    Roasted chicken with Jerusalem artichoke and lemon, pg 180 – this is an approved recipe to print from Ten Speed Press so see below for the recipe in case you don’t have the book! This would be a lovely main course for a holiday gathering like the Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah) or any festive or regular dinner where chicken fits the bill.

    roasted chicken in pan with saffron and lemon and jerusalem artichokes

    Photo by Jonathan Lovekin

    Saffron chicken and herb salad, pg 188

    Poached pears in white wine and cardamom, pg 267 (photo by Orly – @yumivore on Twitter/Instagram)

    saffron

    Saffron Recipes from “Plenty More”:

    Saffron, Date, and Almond Rice, page 49

    Zucchini and Fennel with Saffron Crumbs, page 140

    Crispy Saffron Couscous Cakes, page 205

    Winter Saffron Gratin, page 271

    roasted chicken in pan with saffron and lemon and jerusalem artichokes

    Roasted Chicken with Jerusalem Artichoke & Lemon

    Ottolenghi and Tamimi from Jerusalem: A Cookbook
    The combination of saffron and whole lemon slices not only makes for a beautiful-looking dish but also goes exceptionally well with the nutty earthiness of the artichokes. This is easy to prepare. You just need to plan ahead and leave it to marinate properly.
    4.8 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 2 hrs
    Cook Time 45 mins
    Total Time 2 hrs 45 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Middle Eastern
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 557 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 lb Jerusalem artichokes (450 g) peeled and cut lengthwise into 6 wedges ⅔ inch / 1.5 cm thick
    • 3 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
    • 8 skin-on bone-in chicken thighs, or 1 medium whole chicken, quartered
    • 12 banana or other large shallots halved lengthwise
    • 12 large cloves garlic sliced
    • 1 medium lemon halved lengthwise and then very thinly sliced
    • 1 tsp saffron threads
    • 3½ tbsp olive oil 50 mL
    • ⅔ cup cold water 150 mL
    • 1 tbsp pink peppercorns lightly crushed
    • ¼ cup fresh thyme leaves 10 g
    • 1 cup tarragon leaves (40 g) chopped
    • 2 tsp salt
    • ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper

    Instructions
     

    • Put the Jerusalem artichokes in a medium saucepan, cover with plenty of water, and add half the lemon juice. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer for 10 to 20 minutes, until tender but not soft. Drain and leave to cool.
    • Place the Jerusalem artichokes and all the remaining ingredients, excluding the remaining lemon juice and half of the tarragon, in a large mixing bowl and use your hands to mix everything together well. Cover and leave to marinate in the fridge overnight, or for at least 2 hours.
    • Preheat the oven to 475°F / 240°C. Arrange the chicken pieces, skin side up, in the center of a roasting pan and spread the remaining ingredients around the chicken. Roast for 30 minutes. Cover the pan with aluminum foil and cook for a further 15 minutes. At this point, the chicken should be completely cooked. Remove from the oven and add the reserved tarragon and lemon juice. Stir well, taste, and add more salt if needed. Serve at once.

    Notes

    Reprinted with permission from Jerusalem: A Cookbook by Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi, copyright © 2012. Published by Ten Speed Press, a division of Random House, Inc.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 557kcalCarbohydrates: 47gProtein: 35gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 139mgSodium: 1347mgPotassium: 1594mgFiber: 7gSugar: 17gVitamin A: 775IUVitamin C: 42.9mgCalcium: 250mgIron: 10.9mg
    Keyword roasted chicken recipe, roasted chicken with artichoke and lemon
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Want to Learn more about Middle Eastern Ingredients?

    I started a virtual cooking group with my lifelong friend Sarene Wallace in 2013 to explore the unique flavor profile and recipes of Middle Eastern cuisine through the lens of Jerusalem: A Cookbook by Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi, published by Ten Speed Press.

    We picked a different ingredient each month to learned all about it by sharing information in these posts and by cooking the recipes that used it. Sarene and I believe that learning about new-to-us ingredients develops the courage to try new cuisines and recipes. We continue to be inspired by the flavors introduced in the iconic Jerusalem cookbook. And clearly we are not the only ones. Middle Eastern ingredients are on the rise in usage both at home and in restaurants.

    You can find all the deep dive posts about the ingredients here. To join our ongoing conversation about the latest delicious happenings in the world of Middle Eastern cuisine, follow our Facebook page or join our newly-formed cooking group, where you can ask questions, brag about your creations, and join the conversation with other like-minded cooks throughout the world. If you are on Instagram or Twitter, use our hashtag #TastingJrslm. Or find Beth under the handle @omgyummy and Sarene @fringe.food .

    All levels of cooks are welcome from novice to chefs – the only requirement is an interest in ingredients, cooking, and the cuisines of the Middle East! So join the conversation as we explore the vibrant flavors of the Middle East.

    « Fig Cocktail Cookies: Surprise Your Holiday Guests with this Savory Shortbread Treat
    Discovering The Building Blocks of Mexican Cuisine with Chef Rick Bayless »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jamie

      December 5, 2014 at 9:51 am

      I actually have saffron, gifts from my husband and from an Indian friend, but I’ve never yet cooked of baked with it! But I am very excited because I just found out that saffron is grown in the region we are moving to! In France! So this is a really interesting post, Beth!

      Reply
      • Beth Lee

        December 5, 2014 at 10:40 am

        Thanks Jaime! I’m behind on reading posts – what part of France are you headed to for your new venture? It’s so exciting! I think you will love saffron in your baking Jaime! I just made a squash soup with it and it just lends a subtle nuance and of course, the color speaks for itself!

        Reply
    2. sandy corman

      November 10, 2014 at 12:23 pm

      I remember getting you some saffron when we were in Budapest. Or was it some town in England when we visited our friends Bob and June. What I do remember is how expensive it can be.enjoy it.

      Reply
      • Beth Lee

        November 18, 2014 at 2:53 pm

        Yes I have a nice little collection of the precious spice!

        Reply
    3. Hannah

      November 10, 2014 at 8:00 am

      It is indeed fortunate that a little saffron goes a long way! I appreciate your overview and will now soak my saffron before using. This tip makes so much sense! I have some saffron my brother brought from Egypt (in a gorgeous bottle) and can’t wait to try some new recipes. The rice from Plenty More sounds very appealing. Thank you for sharing all this saffron goodness! 🙂

      Reply
      • Beth Lee

        November 10, 2014 at 10:16 am

        That rice is at the top of my list – might even happen tonight. I’m so glad to know how to use the spice properly now as well. Such a treasure! Can’t wait to see what you create.

        Reply
    4. Deb|EastofEdenCooking

      November 9, 2014 at 1:46 pm

      Fascinating information about saffron! Using saffron when “brittle” will now be incorporated into my cooking. Just as with the lessor costing spices thyme, oregano, basil, ect there seems to be a wide variety of pricing and quality with this gem of a seasoning!

      Reply
      • Beth Lee

        November 10, 2014 at 10:14 am

        I have a friend who was just given a gift of a huge tin of Persian saffron. She called me right away – let’s cook! At least I know how to use it properly now!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome to OMG! Yummy

    Beth
    Hi! I’m Beth Lee. In 2010, I realized I prefer pita chips to memory chips and started this blog. My family is a mix of Jewish/Hawaiian/Korean heritage and my food reflects our diversity. My virtual kitchen is always open. Let’s cook together!  See all my recipes…

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Buy my cookbook!

    Photo of the cover of the essential Jewish baking cookbook by Beth Lee.

    Sign up for emails & get my Exclusive Preserved Lemon eBook!

    OMG! Yummy Web Stories

    View my web stories

     

    Top Posts

    • Ottolenghi Preserved Lemons: A Tangy, Zippy Must-Have Kitchen Staple
      Ottolenghi Preserved Lemons: A Tangy, Zippy Must-Have Kitchen Staple
    • Kalbi Marinade for Korean Short Ribs
      Kalbi Marinade for Korean Short Ribs
    • Rose Harissa - a Smoky, Spicy Kitchen Condiment with Magical Floral Notes
      Rose Harissa - a Smoky, Spicy Kitchen Condiment with Magical Floral Notes

    Latest

    Close up of shot glass with sangrita in it and a lime wedge.

    Sangrita – What Makes Tequila Completo!

    Various chocolate truffles in a white cupcake container on slate.

    Passover Desserts: Dairy Free Truffles

    Top down view of smoothie in a green glass on a tan plate with a spoon and fresh medjool dates.

    Date smoothie with yogurt and vanilla

    Horizontal image showing logos of various media outlets that OMG! Yummy has been featured in.

    Copyright © 2022 · Beth Lee/OMG! Yummy · All Rights Reserved · Privacy Policy

    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • Yummly
    • Reddit
     

    Loading Comments...