Paella

Although the ingredients in the recipe are quite diverse, we are talking about a traditional Spanish dish, paella. It is a rich and flavoursome rice dish that contains various seafood, as well as, depending on the region, chicken, game, chorizo and sausage. Paella, especially associated with the city of Valencia in Spain, can come in many different variations.

One of the important points is the use of short-grain rice; therefore, if you cannot find local Spanish rice, you can prepare it with short-grain varieties such as Arborio rice.

Ingredients for Spanish Paella:

• Half a chicken

For the chicken stock:

• 1 onion
• Half a lemon
• Black peppercorns
• 1 clove of garlic

Other ingredients:

• 2 cups of rice
• 1 onion
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 2 tablespoons of butter
• 5-6 pieces of green beans (chopped small)
• 3 tablespoons fresh peas
• 1 large tomato, cut into small cubes
• 1 small red pepper, diced
• 2 green peppers
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 level teaspoon of turmeric powder or half a teaspoon of saffron
• 2 cups chicken stock

Preparation:

• Cut the onions into small cubes and finely chop the garlic.
• Cut the peeled tomatoes into small cubes. Clean the seafood thoroughly and wash well in plenty of water. If you use large prawns, you can use them head and all. Pat them dry with kitchen paper.
• Heat the home-made fish or vegetable stock over low heat. Heat half the olive oil in a large thick-bottomed pan. Sauté the onions and garlic in the olive oil.
• Rinse the rice thoroughly in water and drain. Add the rice to the pan and fry briefly while stirring occasionally.
• Add white wine and saffron and reduce on high heat. Add half the hot stock, season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, and cook on low heat with the lid closed.
• Heat the remaining olive oil in a separate pan and fry the seafood briefly over high heat.
• Add the fried seafood to the rice in the pan, along with the peas and the remaining hot broth. Cook all ingredients together over low heat until the broth is absorbed.
• When the stock is absorbed and the rice is cooked, spoon the seafood paella onto a serving plate. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot with lemon slices.

I hope this helps you understand and prepare the recipe!