Perfect Saffron Pasta

Recipe Instructions Makes about 2/3 pound, 4 to 6 servings. The rich flavor and aroma of this pasta are wonderful with fish and shellfish in a broth, wine, or cream sauce, or with sauteed chicken. It stands up well to sauces that have the strong flavor of olives and acid ingredients such as wine and tomatoes. Try Saffron Pasta with sweet peppers, garlic, and onions or leeks. Here, we shape it into bow ties, called farfalle (''butterflies") in Italian.

teaspoons saffron threads, firmly packed 1 tablespoon hot water 2 cups unbleached flour 2 extra-large eggs In a small bowl, combine the saffron and the watcr and let stand 10 minutes. If you are making the pasta by hand, add the saffron and water to the eggs after you have beaten them lightly with a fork. If you are making the pasta in a food processor, add the saffron water to the work bowl aftcr you have added the eggs. Proceed according to the directions for Egg Pasta (please see the recipe "Perfect Pasta"). After rolling the dough through the next-to-last setting on the pasta machine, cut it into 1-by-2-inch rectangles with a fluted ravioli cutter or knife. With your thumb and forefinger, pinch the centers of the rectangles together to make bow ties and set them on tea towels or a lightly floured surface. FETA, CHIVES & PISTACHIOS W/ SAFFRON PASTA Serves 4 to 6. Bright and beautiful, golden bow ties are dressed with chopped chives and pistachios. Serve them as a side dish or a light but satisfying main course. Water 6 ounces feta cheese, crumbled 1/3 cup roasted, shelled, and peeled pistachios, coarsely chopped 1/3 cup chopped Chives 3 tablespoons currants, softened in hot water and drained 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil Salt 1 batch Saffron Pasta Freshly ground black pepper In a large pot, bring several guarts of water to a boil. Meanwhile, place the cheese, pistachios, chives, currants, and olive oil in a large saute pan. When the water comes to a boil, salt it well, add the pasta, and cook it al dente. Drain it, reserving about 1/2 cup of the cooking water. Add the drained pasta to the saute pan along with enough of the reservcd cooking water to make a sauce that just coats the noodles. Season with salt and pepper and toss well. If desired, you may drizzle the top lightly with olive oil. Serve hot.