Sherried Onion And Almond Soup With Saffron Recipes

SHERRIED ONION AND ALMOND SOUP WITH SAFFRON

Steps:

• Melt the better in a heavy saucepan over a low heat to prevent it from burning. Add the onions and garlic, stirring frequently for 15-20 minutes until the onions are soft and translucent.
• Add the saffron and cook, uncovered, for 3-4 minutes. Add the ground almonds and cook, stirring continuously, for 2-3 minutes. Add the stock, sherry and 1 tsp salt and plenty of pepper. Bring it to the boil and then simmer gently for about 10 minutes.
• Process the soup in a blender until smooth, then return it to the rinsed pan. Reheat slowly without allowing the soup to boil, stirring occasionally. Check the seasoning.
• Ladle the soup into heated bowls, garnish with the toasted almonds and a little parsley and serve immediately.

SHERRIED BLACK BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• In a large, heavy saucepan, bring the beans and 4 cups of water to a boil. Boil briskly for 2 minutes, then remove from the heat and let stand, covered, for 1 hour.
• In a 5-quart Dutch oven, melt the butter. Add the onions, celery, carrot, and garlic, and cook until soft but not browned. Add the ham hock, the remaining 4 cups water, parsley, salt, cayenne pepper, cloves, mustard seed, bay leaf, and beans (with their liquid). Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat, and simmer for about 3 hours.
• Remove the ham hocks and let cool slightly. Remove and discard bay leaf. Place about half of the beans with about 1 cup of the liquid from the soup in a blender or food processor. Process until smooth. Return the puree to the soup in the Dutch oven.
• Remove the ham from its bone and add the meat to the soup. (Discard fat, bones and skin.) Reheat the soup over medium heat. Stir in the sherry. Serve hot soup with choice of garnishes to sprinkle on top.

SHERRIED BLACK BEANS WITH SAFFRON RICE

Steps:

• Clean the beans, removing all stones or chaff. Rinse them well. In a pot large enough to hold the beans plus water to cover, let them soak, overnight.
• In a medium size saucepan, over medium heat, saute the salt pork just until it begins to brown. Add the onions and chiles and continue to cook until soft, about 5 to 7 minutes. Add the garlic and continue to cook, about 1 to 2 minutes.
• Drain the beans and add fresh water to cover them. Add the contents of the saucepan to the pot of beans. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat. Simmer, covered, for 1 1/2 hours. Add the salt and simmer, uncovered, for about 30 minutes, or until tender. Watch the beans carefully, and stir once or twice to be sure they do not stick to the bottom of the pan.
• Remove 1 cup of the beans, place them in a blender, and blend until smooth. Stir them back into the pot along with the sherry. Add freshly ground black pepper, and serve with Saffron Rice.
• Heat the oil in a medium size saucepan, over a medium heat. Add the rice and onion and stir until the grains are coated with oil and the onion is turning translucent. Do not allow the rice to brown. Stir in the salt and saffron, and slowly pour in the water. Cover tightly, and cook over low heat until all the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is tender, about 20 minutes.
• Set aside, covered, for 5 minutes. Before serving, stir well to make sure the saffron is well mixed throughout the rice.