Paella - Spanish rice dish , how to prepare

  

Paella is a traditional Spanish rice dish that originated in the Valencia region of Spain. It's known for its distinctive flavor and colorful presentation. The dish is typically cooked in a wide, shallow pan called a "paellera" or "paella pan," which gives the dish its name.

To prepare paella, a traditional Spanish rice dish, follow these steps:

Ingredients:

1. 2 cups of Spanish short-grain rice (such as Bomba or Calasparra)

2. 4 cups of chicken or vegetable broth

3. 1 pound of chicken thighs or rabbit, cut into small pieces

4. 1/2 pound of jumbo shrimp, cleaned and deveined

5. 1/2 pound of mussels, cleaned and debearded

6. 1/2 pound of clams, cleaned

7. 1/2 cup of diced onions

8. 1/2 cup of diced bell peppers (red and green)

9. 3 cloves of garlic, minced

10. 1/2 cup of frozen peas

11. 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika

12. 1/2 teaspoon of saffron threads, steeped in 2 tablespoons of warm water

13. Olive oil

14. Salt and pepper to taste

15. Lemon wedges for garnish

Instructions:

1. Heat a large paella pan or a wide, shallow skillet over medium-high heat. Add a few tablespoons of olive oil.

2. Brown the chicken or rabbit pieces until they are cooked through. Remove them from the pan and set them aside.

3. In the same pan, add more olive oil if needed and sauté the onions, bell peppers, and garlic until they become soft and translucent.

4. Stir in the rice and cook for a few minutes until it's lightly toasted.

5. Sprinkle in the smoked paprika and saffron-infused water. Stir to evenly distribute the flavors.

6. Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth, stirring gently to combine. Season with salt and pepper.

7. Arrange the cooked chicken or rabbit, shrimp, mussels, clams, and frozen peas evenly over the rice.

8. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the paella simmer uncovered. Do not stir the paella once the rice is added; this helps form the coveted crispy crust called "socarrat."

9. Cook for about 20-25 minutes or until the rice is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed. If necessary, add more broth to keep the rice moist.

10. Once the rice is cooked, remove the paella from the heat and cover it with a clean kitchen towel. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes.

11. Garnish with lemon wedges and serve the paella directly from the pan.

Enjoy your homemade paella! It's a flavorful and satisfying dish that's perfect for sharing with friends and family.