Herb gardeners who revel in growing their own tasty seasonings delight in having that most dear of spices at a price that doesn't require a second mortgage. Saffron, the deep red threads that flavor rice dishes like Spanish paella, is actually the dried stamen of the sativus crocus. This spice is so expensive because of the labor involved with hand picking the small flower parts, but if your recipe calls for only 6-8 threads (not the 4,000 needed for an ounce) you can complete the "harvest" in less than a minute. Indulge in a luxury that's very affordable when you provide the growing site and the labor. Remember your gourmet friends with a bag of bulbs, too. (Don't worry, these bulbs are a snap to plant and complete instructions are available below.)