Paella - Yellow Rice

[Baby_Sham]

Hi, just a quickie...

How do you turn white rice yellow? I thought it was saffron but I used some last week and it didn't go bright yellow, it just went a pale yellowy colour.

Did I not use enough or is there something else I should be adding?

(I also add cumin and paprika)

[237SJ]

I colour rice with turmeric. It goes bright yellow

[Buenchico]

As 237SJ suggests, turmeric is used to colour (say) pilau rice.

[ummmm]

A mixture of saffron and chorizo, I think.

[chelle7272]

Yes I use turmeric.

[Baby_Sham]

Tumeric it is then. I'm all out of saffron, so will Tumeric do the job on it's own.

I had Chorizo in it anyway, but it just seemed so pale.

Thanks all :-)

[Baby_Sham]

Turmeric even :P

[chris1957au]

was it old? it may of also been a copy as saffron is usually fairly strong, the cumin and paprika could have dulled it slightly, many commercial kitchens will use turmeric as its cheaper but watch the taste. also try soaking the saffron for a few minutes first.

[pastafreak]

When using turmeric,its a good idea to fry it in oil for a few minutes with onion or garlic. Otherwise it can have a harsh taste.

[hc4361]

Is the stock you use yellow?

[pastafreak]

PS...you won't have the same distinctive flavour from just turmeric.

[Mamyalynne]

I agree, don't be too heavy handed with the turmeric - the strong earthy taste can overpower. For visual impact I have cheated and used a drop of yellow food colour along with the saffron in the past. Again be careful or it turns day-glo.

[diddlydo]

You absolutely CANNOT use turmeric to make the rice yellow when making paella! In Spain the cheapo restaurants use artificial yellow food colouring to make it yellow. The real stuff only has saffron, not just for the colour but also the taste. Cumin has no place in paella

[Canary42]

Have you tried The Yellow Rice of Texas ?

[OK, I'll get my coat]

[woofgang]

oh well said diddlydo. yes you need to use enough saffron and decent quality.
I buy it here
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Saffron-Spice-1g-Miniatur-SAHAR-Box-Six-ISO-100-Pure-Full-Refund-Not-Happy-/181203835886?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Food_SM&hash=item2a30971bee

I have no connection whatever with the seller, its just the quality and price are excellent.

[Baby_Sham]

Just to let you know, popped to Waitrose and got some more Saffron, and used that along with turmeric. It turned out perfect, nice and bright but not too day glow!
My Mum said about food colouring, but I don't really like the sound of that.
As for cumin... I put it in everything!

Thanks for the help.

[diddlydo]

Please stop using the turmeric if you want to call it paella - the taste is totally alien to Spanish food!

[Baby_Sham]

Sorry diddlydoo, I cannot do that... if only to annoy you even more.

I never said I wanted to make an "authentic Spanish Paella"... did I?
You'll probably be horrified to discover it contains no seafood either. Eeekk!!

[ummmm]

How can she not call it paella when paella is the name of the pan it's cooked in?

[carolegif]

The Spanish use yellow colouring, or the Paellera mix with all the spices you need (saffron, pimenton, E numbers etc.). Lidls sometimes sell it, or you can buy online at www.saborear.co.uk.