What is Paella?
Paella is a traditional Spanish rice and seafood dish that originated in Valencia. There are various ways to make it, but a typical Paella usually includes seafood, chicken, rabbit, vegetables, saffron, olive oil, and rice. Here’s the recipe and approximate time for a classic seafood Paella:
Total Time:about 1 hour
Preparation time: 15-20 minutes Cooking time: 35-45 minutes
Ingredients:
Olive oil - 2 tablespoons Onion - 1, chopped
Garlic - 3 cloves, minced Red bell pepper - 1, sliced
Tomatoes - 2, chopped Saffron - a pinch (soaked in warm water)
Shrimp - 200g Chicken or fish stock - 800mlClams - 200g Short-grain rice (like Bomba rice) - 300g
Mussels - 200g, cleaned Squid rings - 200g
Lemon - half, sliced Spices (salt, pepper, paprika, etc.) - to taste
Parsley - chopped, for garnish
Instructions:
- Prepare ingredients: Wash, chop, and prepare all the ingredients in advance.
- Heat olive oil: Heat olive oil in a large, flat Paella pan (or a flat pan) over medium heat.
- Sauté vegetables: Add onions, garlic, and bell pepper, sauté until the vegetables soften, about 5 minutes.
- Add tomatoes and seasonings: Add the chopped tomatoes and continue to sauté until they soften and release their juices. Then add paprika and saffron.
- Cook the rice: Add the rice and stir for a few minutes to allow it to absorb the oil and flavors. Then pour in the hot chicken or fish stock, season, and bring to a boil before reducing the heat to low.
- Add seafood: Spread the mussels, clams, squid, and shrimp evenly over the rice. Do not stir; let the seafood sit on top while cooking for 15-20 minutes until the rice is fully cooked, the broth is absorbed, and the mussels and clams open.
- Let it rest: After turning off the heat, cover the pan and let the Paella rest for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to fully meld.
- Serve: Finally, garnish with parsley and lemon slices, and it’s ready to enjoy.
This dish is rich and flavorful, perfect for sharing with others, and pairs well with a glass of white wine.
