The Saffron curry recipe is a spicy, rich soup that I have adapted from 3 different recipes. The base is a vegan vegetable broth with Indian spices, red lentils, and vegetables. There are two versions of the Saffron Curry recipe: a mild one and an extra spicy one.
The Mild Saffron Curry Recipe starts from scratch with fresh vegetables and ginger but has less spice than the Extra Spicy Saffron Curry Recipe, which starts with pre-made tomato curry paste and curry powder from your grocery store.
This is a complete meal all by itself. In less than an hour, you can prepare it in a few steps with your pressure cooker. I prefer to cook the lentils and the vegetables separately and add them at different times.
There are many ways to make this recipe. It is one of those recipes that you will learn how to cook from watching other people make it in their own way and from any written instructions.
If you have problems finding some ingredients, try Indian grocery stores or buy online for convenience.
How To Make Saffron Curry Recipe?
Ingredients
- 500g Turkish or Greek yogurt (10% fat)
- 1 tbsp garlic paste
- 2 tbsp fresh ginger paste
- 8 medium skinless chicken thighs on the bone
- 2 tbsp whole milk
Large Pinch Good-Quality Saffron
- 6 tbsp vegetable oil
- 3 medium white onions, evenly and thinly sliced into rings
- whole garam masala (2 Indian bay leaves, 1-inch long piece of cassia bark, 3 green cardamom pods, and 1 clove)
- 1 tbsp ground coriander
- ¼ tsp chili powder
- 2 tbsp ground almonds
- 1 tbsp sugar
- a small handful of almond flakes to garnish
Method
1. Place the saffron in a heat-proof bowl. Pour boiling water over the saffron and let it steep for 15 minutes.
2. In another bowl, mix the milk, yogurt, garlic paste, ginger paste, and spices using a whisk or a fork. Pour into a large saucepan and add 1 tbsp oil to the bottom of the pan.
3. Add onion rings and cook in medium-low heat until softened, occasionally stirring with a wooden spoon to prevent the onion from burning (about 10 minutes).
4. Add lentils and frequently stir to prevent the saffron from sticking to the pan.
5. Add the whole milk and stir in well to evenly combine. Cover with a lid, remove it after 5 minutes of cooking, then stir in the saffron water (if you used 350 ml of milk or less, you could omit this step).
Bring back to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 45 minutes with a low heat setting. Stir occasionally during this time.
6. In a separate pot, heat oil to make the chicken. Add the chicken, 2 green chilies (if you like spicy food, you can add more), salt, and cook over low heat for 5 minutes.
7. Add the tomato paste, curry powder (or prepared curry paste), garam masala, and sugar to the chicken and stir well to mix evenly. Cover with a lid, bring back to a boil over low heat setting, and cook uncovered for 15 minutes. Stir occasionally during this time as well.
8. Add the cooked chicken to the lentils, mix it well, and then simmer uncovered for 10 minutes. Cover with a lid and cook for 5 minutes over low heat.
9. Garnish with almond flakes when serving.
Notes:
For the recipe using fresh vegetable broth, use any combination of fresh or frozen bell peppers, carrots, sweet potatoes, zucchini, or cauliflower. You can also use frozen peas.
Nutrition Facts Of Saffron Curry Recipe
| Nutrition | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 645 |
| Fat: | 39g |
| Sodium | 1000mg |
| Protein | 43g |
| Carbohydrates | 44g |
| Sugars | 19.4g |
| Fiber | 7 |
Best 7 Health Benefits Of Saffron Curry Recipe
1. Saffron is rich in antioxidants, is anti-inflammatory, and can help prevent Alzheimer’s disease.
2. Saffron works as an analgesic and can reverse damage to cells by removing free radicals.
3. Saffron curry recipe helps prevent liver cancer and can be used to treat lung cancer.
4. Saffron may reduce the symptoms of arthritis, lower high blood sugar levels in people with diabetes and eliminate stomach cramps without any side effects or negative interactions with other medications.
5. Saffron curry recipe can also treat hepatitis, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.
6. Saffron may treat eye disorders (such as cataracts), hearing loss, skin diseases, and chronic inflammatory diseases. It can also help regulate blood sugar levels in people with diabetes without any negative effects or interactions with other medications.
7. It helps prevent heart disease and stroke by suppressing the activity of enzymes that convert low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol into artery-clogging oxidized LDL cholesterol in the body’s bloodstream.
Is Saffron Fat Free?
Based on our research, saffron has 0 g of fat per 100 g serving size, making it fat-free and a good option for those on a low-fat diet. In addition to that, it is also low in carbs, with only 9 g of carbs per 100g serving size.
Is Saffron Healthy?
Saffron is a very healthy spice that can be used in several recipes and added to soups, sauces, teas, and desserts for an extra zest of flavor without any negative side effects.
Is Saffron A Spice?
Yes, saffron is a spice with a long history as an ingredient in cooking and medicine.
Conclusion
Saffron is one of the most expensive spices globally, and it is used in many cultures for both cooking and medicine. However, based on the information we have at our disposal, it is safe to say that humans can use this spice safely.
Note that saffron has a strong, somewhat bitter taste, which can overwhelm the food you cook if you add too much.
Therefore, it is recommended to use no more than half a teaspoon of saffron for one cup of cooked rice.