Saffron is considered to be the MOST expensive spice in the whole world.  Fortunately you only ever use a few thread at a time.  I’m not up on the price of gold (or diamonds for that matter!) so I’m not sure how it compares.  Saffron can cost about $45-$60 per ounce.  An ounce of saffron is a TON of saffron!  But how does the old saying go, “If you have to ask…”!

A note: there's saffron, and there's "american saffron." The former is expensive and delicious, while the latter is a cheap knockoff that should be avoided. Like you say, you only use a bit at a time, so why not go with the real stuff?

The Secret Ingredient!
Junia, from Orlando FL just e-mailed me to ask what the secret ingredient was for the Saffron Sauce in the movie. They never actually included it in the recipes that were sent to me BUT the "secret ingredient is kaffir leaves!  If you look very carefully in the movie you will see Catherine Zeta Jones smelling these leaves at the market.

They are available in Asian markets but it is not available at my local grocery store!  This sauce is rich and decadently delicious with or without kaffir leaves!

http://www.thaitable.com/Thai/Ingredients/kaffir_lime_leaves.htm

As far as the 2 types of saffron go, how do you know which is which?

The brand of saffron i bought was  McCormick's Gourmet spice. Is that the "real" saffron? Or a knock-off?

I tried this recipe because it is one that I love, but this version of the recipe is much too greasy given all the butter and I believe the other recipe had pine nuts within....

My opinion: This recipe is not worth the time and amount of butter!!

I agree that this is WAY off my diet... But of course, I couldnt resist...

However, now that I've got downt he flavor profile, Im working with new ideas so that I can keep the flavor while making this more health concious.

I recently replaced the butter with "Smart Balance" which... well, it wasnt bad at all, but ended up tasting cheap.

My co-workers are my guinea pigs, so when I have a winning recipe, Ill post it somewhere.

I just tried this. It was delicious. I had to make some changes: I used chopped mushrooms instead of the shallots... and a half a tomato. I also added a few capers. I used margarine instead of all the butter and 2% milk instead of cream; then I heated the mixture longer to boil it down. The Saffron actually came from India; where I bought it! :)

I can't wait to try this. I've fallen in love with the film to the point where I even cook to opera now! Are you going to post the rest of the recipes from the movie or are they on here somewhere? This is my first visit to your site and I love it!  I love to cook and I love to try new recipes. Great site!

hey kathy, you asked me to let you know when i perfected my own recipe. and so i did at last.

im not sure about posting it online due to the fact that someone might steal it and recieve undeserved credit. however, you have inspired to attempt creating my own cookbook, which i hope will do nicely, especially for vegitarians like myself.

thank you! and ifd youd like the jist of my recipe let me know, but id rather it not be posted.

If you wanted to add the kaffir leaves, how would you go about adding them into the recipe and use them correctly? 

North American Saffron, IMHO, is okay, just not as flavourful as the Egyptian or Spanish varieties.  As a result, you have to use a bit more for the same taste.