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Health Benefits of Saffron

saffron threads in a bowl on a cutting board

Studies have determined that saffron can slow and even reverse cancer growth, help prevent cardiovascular disease, improve vision and mood, and may help prevent kidney damage for those with diabetes.

Tips for Cooking with Saffron

  • Using Saffron Threads

    Before adding to recipes, cooks sometimes warm saffron threads gently for a few minutes in a preheated oven. Warmed or not, crumble threads lightly and infuse in warm chicken or vegetable broth, or warm water for a few minutes. Then add to your recipe.

    Or crumble a few threads in your fingers and add toward the end of cooking, which is what I often do when steaming vegetables and preparing whole grains such as brown rice.

  • Using Saffron Powder

    Powdered saffron can be put directly into recipes.

  • Avoiding Aluminum

    To avoid exposure to aluminum, line roasting pans with lining paper—the parchment side is exposed to the food, while the aluminum liner is on the other side.

Try These Veggies with Sofrito

Here's one of Robin's favorite recipes, complete with a sofrito. Try it out: you won't be disappointed!

Contributor

Robin Keuneke

Natural foods chef Robin Keueneke is the award-winning author of Total Breast Health—a Publisher’s Weekly Best Book of the Year—and coauthor, with Thomas J. Slaga, of The Detox Revolution.

The Iberian Table shares her insight into Spanish culinary culture.