Learn how to make Paella an incredible rice dish with Strong saffron flavours and seafood.A comforting meal for families.
Introduction:
Paella is a famous Spanish dish,it is a traditional dish.It has a very rich flavours as it contains seafood and chicken in it.The natural flavour of saffron made this dish more amazing.I live in Lahore i recently visited a restaurant named Qué Rico with my brother and we want something refreshing so i ordered Paella.And i am shocked with this awesome culinary invention.As i am a chef ,so i love to explore traditional recipes they are always amazing. I am sharing its recipe in easy steps so you can also enjoy the magic of Spanish cuisine.
INGREDIENTS:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Paella rice (or basmati) | 2 cups |
| Chicken (boneless cubes) | 400 grams |
| Prawns (cleaned) | 250 grams |
| Onion (medium) | 2 (finely chopped) |
| Garlic cloves | 5–6 (minced) |
| Tomatoes | 3 (finely chopped) |
| Capsicum (green) | 1 (chopped) |
| Bell peppers (red/yellow) | 1 each (chopped) |
| Frozen peas | 1 cup |
| Chicken stock | 4 cups (or 1 cube in hot water) |
| Butter | 2 tablespoons |
| Saffron threads (must) | A pinch (soaked in warm water) |
| Paprika or red chilli | 1 teaspoon (optional) |
| Salt | As per taste |
| Black pepper | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Parsley or coriander | For garnish |
| Lemon wedges | For serving (optional) |
How to make it:
Chop the vegetables:
First take the chopping board and chop all the veggies. I am using onion , garlic, capsicum, bellpepers and tomatoes all in dice chopped form. I am also using frozen peas for it they dont need cutting so use them as it is. Chop some parsley or coriander for the garnish as well. You can also use onion and red chilli finely chopped for the garnish.
Cooking on stove:
Lets make it. Take a deep pan as paella is a one pan dish,add in butter about 2 tablespoon add your chopped onions and garlic in it and saute for a while until soft. Now chop some bell pepper and capsicum and add them to it. Add 1 teaspoon of black pepper and salt according to your taste in it Add in your chicken after 2 to 3 minutes and cook ,now add your soaked paella rice into it and mix . Add a pinch of saffron in hot water soak for some minutes and add it to the rice for the saffron flavours in them. Chopped some tomatoes and if you have chicken stock then use it if it is not available you can simply take hot water add in a chicken cube mix until dissolve and add in. But here i am using chicken stock which i maked for my cassoulet recipe.Add the stock until all ingredients will get diped.
Final steps:
Cook the rice for 15 minutes now add your peas and prawns in it and cook for more 10 minutes. Garnish your paella and do the plating.and enjoy ,The rice must be saucy if they become dry or overcooked they will not give you the exact flavours you want to enjoy.
Servings : 5
Cook time:
prep time:20 minutes
cooking time:25 minutes
total time:45 minutes
Equipments needed:
- deep pan
- cutting board
- knife
- wooden spatula
- spice container
Pro tips:
- Use best quality of rice.
- Dont overcook or under-cook them we need a saucy consistancy.
- If you want to add more seafood then you have to look after there cooking time if they need more time to cook from rice then first cook them seprately until boil and add them in the end to the dish.
Most asked questions(FAQs)
- How to serve paella traditionally?
- Traditionally paella is served in pan even guests eat it directly but you can serve it as you want.
- Does it contain any allergens?
- Yes paella contain gluten from rice and seafood also so if you are allergic to them you have to becarefull.
Nutrition:
This dish nutrition per serving is
- Calories: 420–480 kcal
- Protein: 28–32 grams
- Carbohydrates: 45–50 grams
- Sugars: 5–6 grams
- Fiber: 5 grams
- Fat: 14–18 grams
- Saturated Fat: 6 grams
- Cholesterol: 100–120 mg
- Sodium: 650–800 mg
- Potassium: 700–850 mg