Spanish Paella Recipe

Spanish Paella recipe – paella is a versatile and satisfying one-pan meal that brings together a delightful combination of rice, savory meats, seafood, and aromatic spices.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup bomba rice or short-grain rice
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 tomato, diced
• 8 ounces chorizo sausage, sliced
• 8 large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 8 small clams, scrubbed
• 8 mussels, cleaned and debearded
• 1/2 cup frozen peas
• 1/4 teaspoon saffron threads
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Lemon wedges, for serving
• Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, steep saffron threads in 2 tablespoons of warm water for 10 minutes to release their flavor.
2. In a large paella pan or skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and diced bell peppers, and cook for another 2 minutes.
3. Add sliced chorizo sausage to the pan and cook until lightly browned and fragrant, about 3 minutes.
4. Stir in diced tomato, smoked paprika, and soaked saffron threads (along with the water) into the pan. Cook for 2 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
5. Add bomba rice to the pan and stir to coat the grains in the flavorful mixture.
6. Pour chicken broth into the pan, season with salt and pepper to taste, and bring to a simmer. Cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice is almost tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
7. Arrange shrimp, clams, mussels, and frozen peas on top of the rice in an even layer. Cover the pan with a lid or aluminum foil and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until the seafood is cooked through and the clams and mussels have opened.
8. Remove the pan from heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
9. Garnish the paella with chopped fresh parsley and serve hot with lemon wedges on the side. Enjoy this flavorful Spanish paella with friends and family for a taste of the Mediterranean!