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Traditional Spanish Paella

Contributed by: from my host in Spain

Spanish Paella

Photo courtesy Steve & Kathy Reese

This is wonderful for large dinner parties or special occasions. You can even keep rolling them out for large parties. The key to making this dish turn out is to have all your ingredients prepared and measured in advance.

This is traditionally cooked in a Paella pan, which you can purchase at any cookware store. It requires a very large, flat pan in order to cook the rice properly. I use my 16.5 inch Paella pan spanning two burners on the cooktop. I got my pan in Spain and it is the Carbon Steel version. Here is a link to pans and also here

If you use Spanish Chorizo and authentic Spanish ham, you'll find the flavors more accurate. Regardless, this feeds a crowd and is especially satisfying. Here is a link to spanish sausages and hams

What you need

  1. 1 cup water
  2. 1 tsp saffron threads
  3. 6 cups chicken broth
  4. »«
  5. Mixed Seafood - calamari, cuttlefish, mussels, clams, etc.
  6. Mixed Meats - chicken, pork, Spanish ham or Prosciutto, etc.
  7. Mixed Vegetables - Asparagus, Green Beans, Zucchini, etc.
  8. Or a combination of the above (traditional festival style)
  9. »«
  10. 1 prawn (unpeeled, whole if possible) per person
  11. 2 Portugese Hot Chorizo sausages (1 lb.), cut in 1/2 inch pieces
  12. »«
  13. 1 tbl olive oil
  14. 2 cups finely chopped onions
  15. 1 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
  16. 2+/- cups diced fresh or (14 oz. can) Muir Glen Organic tomatoes
  17. 1 tsp sweet spanish paprika
  18. 1 cup chopped, fresh Italian parsley
  19. 1 tbl or so lemon zest (from one lemon)
  20. 6-8 large garlic cloves, minced
  21. 3 cups Valencia or Arborio rice (short grain starchy rice)
  22. 1 cup frozen green peas
  23. 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice and lemon wedges*

How to make it

  1. Combine water, saffron and broth in a large saucepan. Bring to a simmer and keep warm.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large paella pan or very large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chorizo and meats and sauté until lightly browned, about 2 minutes per side. (this can be done in batches if necessary)
  3. Remove meats to a bowl to retain all juices.
  4. Reduce heat to medium-low.
  5. Add onion and bell pepper. Cook until softened, stirring occasionally.
  6. Add tomatoes, garlic and paprika and cook briefly, until aroma is fully developed.
  7. Add rice and stir to coat thoroughly.
  8. Stir in broth, parsley and lemon zest; bring to a low boil
  9. Add meats and seafood (such as calamari, cuttlefish) based on cook time required - cook, stirring occasionally.
  10. If using shellfish, add to pan, nestling them hinge down into the rice. Cook until shells open. Discard any unopened.
  11. If using vegetables add to pan according to cooking time required
  12. Add whole shrimp (heads down) and peas. Continue cooking until shrimp and rice are done.
  13. Sprinkle with lemon juice and remove from heat. Cover with a towel and let stand for 10 minutes. Serve with lemon wedges* if desired.

This quantity is good for 10-12 people with accompaniments. You can reduce the amount of rice to 2 cups (change liquid to 4 cups broth and 1/2 cup water) and choose only 1 or 2 meats/veg to serve 6 people. Serve with a large spanish green salad and gazpacho.

You can add half the garlic with the onion and bell pepper to add different depth of flavor.

Questions about this recipe?