How to Make Spanish Paella
Last modify: 2023/11/13
Spanish Paella is a flavorful and iconic dish known for its saffron-infused rice and a variety of ingredients like seafood, chicken, rabbit, and vegetables. Here's a basic recipe for a delicious Seafood Paella.
Seafood Paella Recipe:
Ingredients:
For the Broth:
4 cups chicken broth
A pinch of saffron threads
1 bay leaf
For the Paella:
1 1/2 cups bomba or short-grain rice
1/2 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/2 pound mussels, cleaned and debearded
1/2 pound clams, scrubbed
1/2 cup squid rings
1/2 cup diced tomatoes
1/2 cup diced bell peppers (red and green)
1/2 cup chopped onion
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup frozen peas
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika
Salt and black pepper to taste
Olive oil for cooking
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Broth:
In a small saucepan, heat the chicken broth with saffron threads and a bay leaf. Let it simmer for 10-15 minutes to infuse the flavors. Remove the bay leaf and set aside.
2. Prepare the Seafood:
Season the shrimp with salt and pepper.In a large paella pan or wide skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear the shrimp for 1-2 minutes on each side until they turn pink. Remove and set aside.In the same pan, add a bit more oil if needed and sauté the squid rings until opaque. Remove and set aside.
3. Sauté Aromatics:
In the same pan, add more oil if necessary and sauté the onions and garlic until softened.Add the diced tomatoes and bell peppers. Cook until the vegetables are softened.
4. Add Rice and Seasonings:
Stir in the rice and paprika, coating the rice with the vegetable mixture.Pour in the saffron-infused chicken broth, season with salt and pepper, and spread the rice evenly in the pan.
5. Cook the Paella:
Arrange the shrimp, mussels, clams, squid, and peas on top of the rice.Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the paella simmer without stirring until the rice is cooked and forms a crust at the bottom (about 15-20 minutes).
6. Finish and Serve:
Once the rice is cooked, remove the paella from heat and cover it with a clean kitchen towel. Let it rest for a few minutes.Garnish with chopped parsley and serve the paella directly from the pan.Enjoy your homemade Seafood Paella! Feel free to customize the recipe by adding other seafood or meats based on your preferences.