Name: Saffron Laced Pastina Pasta Salad
Ingredients: 1/4 tsp ground saffron; 1/2 cup olive oil; 2 garlic cloves, finely minced or pressed; 3 Tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice; 1/4 tsp ground cumin; 2 tsp ground turmeric; 1 tsp granulated sugar; salt; freshly ground black pepper; 1 pound semi de melone, (melon-seed shape) or other pastina; 2/3 cup pine nuts, lightly toasted; 1/2 cup currants, plumped in hot water for 20 minutes and drained; 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint; 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley; 3 Tbsp chopped fresh coriander; fresh mint sprigs or leaves; pomegranate seeds (optional); orange blossom water (optional)

Saffron Laced Pastina Pasta Salad

Ingredients

1/4 tsp ground saffron
1/2 cup olive oil
2 garlic cloves, finely minced or pressed
3 Tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/4 tsp ground cumin
2 tsps ground turmeric
1 tsp granulated sugar
salt
freshly ground black pepper
1 pound semi de melone, (melon-seed shape) or other pastina
2/3 cup pine nuts, lightly toasted
1/2 cup currants, plumped in hot water for 20 minutes and drained
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
3 Tbsp chopped fresh coriander
fresh mint sprigs or leaves
pomegranate seeds (optional)
orange blossom water (optional)

Instructions

Yield: 10 servings. Dissolve saffron in olive oil and let stand about 15 minutes. Add garlic, lemon juice, cumin, turmeric, sugar, and salt and pepper to taste. Set aside. Cook pasta in 3 quarts boiling water until very al dente. Drain and rinse well in cold water, then drain again. Place in a large bowl and toss with saffron-flavored oil. Cool to room temperature, occasionally stirring the pasta to coat thoroughly. Add pine nuts, drained currants, chopped mint, parsley, and coriander to pasta. Serve at room temperature garnished with mint sprigs or leaves and pomegranate seeds, if available. Sprinkle lightly with orange blossom water just before serving. Serves 10 to 12 as salad or side dish NOTE: To toast pine nuts, place them in a small heavy frying pan over moderate heat. Stir until they begin to turn golden. Remove from heat and pour onto a plate to cool.