Paella recipes

 

Paella is a traditional Spanish dish that originated in Valencia. It's a flavorful and colorful rice dish often cooked with a variety of ingredients, including vegetables, meat, and seafood. There are many variations of paella, but the most classic ones include Valencian paella, seafood paella, and mixed paella. Here are basic recipes for each:

1. Valencian Paella:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups short-grain rice (such as Bomba or Calasparra)
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 tomatoes, grated
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 sprig rosemary
• 1/2 teaspoon saffron threads
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 lemon, cut into wedges

Instructions:

1. In a paella pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened.
2. Add minced garlic and grated tomatoes. Cook for a few minutes until the tomatoes break down and the mixture thickens.
3. Stir in rice and cook for 1-2 minutes until the rice is well-coated with the tomato mixture.
4. Pour in white wine and cook until it evaporates.
5. Add chicken broth, saffron, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer.
6. Cook for about 15-20 minutes or until the rice is almost done. If needed, add more broth.
7. Arrange lemon wedges on top and let the paella rest for a few minutes before serving.

2. Seafood Paella:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup short-grain rice
• 2 cups fish or seafood broth
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 tomatoes, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon saffron threads
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 pound mixed seafood (shrimp, mussels, squid, etc.)
• Lemon wedges for serving

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a paella pan. Add chopped onion and cook until softened.
2. Add minced garlic, diced tomatoes, and smoked paprika. Cook until tomatoes break down.
3. Stir in rice and cook for 1-2 minutes. Add saffron, salt, and pepper.
4. Pour in fish or seafood broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
5. Arrange seafood on top of the rice and cook until the seafood is done.
6. Let the paella rest for a few minutes before serving with lemon wedges.

3. Mixed Paella:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup short-grain rice
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 2 tomatoes, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon saffron threads
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 pound chicken pieces
• 1/2 pound rabbit or pork, cut into pieces
• 1/2 pound green beans or peas
• Lemon wedges for serving

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a paella pan. Add chopped onion and cook until softened.
2. Add diced bell pepper, minced garlic, and diced tomatoes. Cook until the vegetables are softened.
3. Stir in rice and cook for 1-2 minutes. Add paprika, saffron, salt, and pepper.
4. Pour in chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
5. Add chicken, rabbit or pork, and green beans or peas. Cook until the meat is done and the rice is tender.
6. Let the paella rest for a few minutes before serving with lemon wedges.

Remember that these recipes are just starting points, and you can always customize them based on your preferences and available ingredients. Enjoy your paella!