Paella
Rooted in Valencian tradition, this seafood paella celebrates bold coastal flavours and a convivial, sunlit table, with a light aside about a pan large enough to be noticed. Chorizo and monkfish sit alongside plump prawns and squid, while saffron perfumes a tomato and bean studded bed of short grain rice. Olive oil, wine and bay leaf lend depth as the seafood is briefly seared, the rice simmered in stock and finished in the oven.
Perfect for shared feasts, this paella feels rustic and celebratory, with a pleasing contrast between tender, plump seafood and the slightly firm, separate grains of rice. Smoky chorizo and a hint of wine balance the brine of the sea and the sweetness of tomato, while minced flat leaf parsley adds freshness. Adaptable to different seafood or the addition of chicken or pork, it makes a generous, hospitable centrepiece.
Cook: 30 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 chorizo sausages sliced
- 400g monkfish fillet (membrane removed) cut into 12 small medallions
- 12 large tiger prawn, peeled
- 4 large tiger prawns shell on
- 1 medium squid cleaned and cut into rings
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 125g olive oil
- 1 bay leaf
- 400g Valencia or short grain rice
- 750ml fish, chicken or vegetable stock
- 100ml white wine
- Pinch of saffron threads
- 1 medium tomato diced
- 120g stringless beans, chopped into 3
- 2 tbsp. of minced flat leaf parsley
Method
- Seafood and Chorizo: Heat the oil in a paella pan, large frying pan or wok. Cook the monkfish for a minute on either side so that it is sealed and remove from the pan. Sauté the prawn until they turn pink, remove from the pan. Sauté the squid rings and set aside. Saute the chorizo until just cooked and set aside.
- Rice: Preheat an oven to 180°C. Sauté the onion in the pan until it is soft. Add the rice to the pan and cook for a minute. Add the stock and wine to the pan with the bay leaf and saffron and leave to simmer for around 10 minutes until 2/3 of the stock has reduced.
- Paella: Mix the tomatoes and beans into the rice. Add the prawns, monkfish, chorizo and squid to the rice burying it in well. Place the pan uncovered in the preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Remove the paella from the oven when the stock has dissolved and the rice is just tender, cover the rice with foil and leave for 5 minutes.
- To Serve: Remove the foil from the paella and sprinkle the parsley over the top of the paella. Serve the paella at the table with a leaf salad. You may also wish to give each person a side plate for the shells and a finger bowl with water and a slice of lemon to wash their hands.
Recipe
