An Italian Date With Saffron

Italy is not only about cheese dripping pizza and huge piles of pasta there is much more to it than this. Soo, on your quest to discover the Italian cuisine first say “ Ti Amo” to the great masterpieces of arts and get acquainted with the Italian culture. The Italians are considered to be great patrons of art, music and of course food. The beautiful climate and the turquoise colored water of the shimmering Mediterranean sea is the perfect way to describe this gorgeous country.

The versatile yet distinctive Italian cuisine has evolved through the years. The culinary delight of Italian food is mainly due to cross-cultural influences from more than three thousand years. Roman, Greek, and Arab influences have shaped the Italian cuisine and made it even more delectable and sought after.

Saffron or “Zefferano” as it is called in Italian,is an important ingredient in Italian cuisine. The origination of Saffron in History is backed by a lot of interesting tales. It is said that the Roman Emperor Nero sprinkled the streets with Saffron water to honor his return to Rome. However, after the decline of the Roman empire, Saffron vanished from the European scenario, till the advent of the Moors who reintroduced it to Europe.

Navelli in Abruzzo, Italy thought to be the Italian capital for high quality saffron. Saffron is used in many top-notch Italian dishes, the most famous being Risotto all Milanese.

There’s surely something exotic about this golden spice that makes people from all quarters of the world fall in love with it. Something avant garde, like a warm cuddle, delicate and angelic! A small bit of this majestic spice escalates an apparently pleasant dish into an incredible one. The amalgamation of Saffron and Italian cuisine is definitely an ethereal experience.

Like the people themselves who are such warm,loving and fond of entertainment and hospitality. Italian cuisine gets its taste from the very savory attitude of the people of Italy. Their full of life attitude very well reflects in their food and lifestyle.

Patience is the key ingredient in Italian cooking as they say “Rome wasn't built in a day”

Let’ say “Buon giorno” to Italian Cuisine and look at this yummy Saffron Panna Cotta Dessert recipe.

Saffron Panna Cotta Dessert

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups half of cream or milk

1/4 cup sugar

1 envelope unflavored gelatin

3 large tablespoons of water

3 -4 Saffron threads

2 Teaspoon of rose water

Method:

Begin by soaking Saffron threads in a bowl of water. In a pan heat the cream for about 3 minutes. Gently slide in the previously soaked Saffron threads and sugar. Slowly stir the mixture till it attains a light yellow color.

Now, in another pan pour in 3 large tablespoons of water Subsequently, place the 1 envelope unflavored gelatin above the surface of the water. The gelatin will quickly absorb the water in about 2 minutes.

Once the gelatin has softened pour it in the cream and Saffron mixture. Gently stir the mixture till the gelatin completely melts. Now add , the two teaspoon of rose water, to render a nice aroma to the mixture.

Refrigerate it for about two hours. Serve it by garnishing it with your favorite nuts. Slurp on!

That’s why life in Italy seems so delicious and perfect. To, the Italians life is all about “Mangiare per vivere e non vivere per mangiare” meaning ‘Eat to live and not live to eat’.