Seafood paella is one of the most emblematic dishes of Spanish cuisine and definitely an excellent choice to delight your loved ones on a special Saturday. This recipe mixes the taste of the sea with the characteristic touch of saffron and paprika, achieving a unique combination that will leave an unforgettable mark on your palate.
To prepare a delicious seafood paella, you will need the following ingredients: 400 grams of bomba rice, 1 liter of fish broth, 200 grams of clean and sliced squid rings, 200 grams of clean mussels, 200 grams of clean clams, 200 grams of shrimp, 150 grams of peas (optional), 1 red pepper cut into strips, 1 large grated tomato, 1 finely chopped medium onion, 3 cloves of chopped garlic, 100 ml of extra virgin olive oil, a few saffron threads, 1 teaspoon of sweet paprika, salt to taste, fresh chopped parsley for garnish, and quartered lemons for serving.
To begin with the preparation, heat the fish broth in a pot. You can enhance it by adding the heads and shells of the shrimp to give it more flavor. Keep it warm while you prepare the rest of the paella.
In a paella pan or a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, and sauté until translucent. Add the red pepper and cook for a few more minutes. Add the grated tomato and cook everything together until the tomato reduces and becomes a thick sauce.
Incorporate the squid into the sofrito and cook for a few minutes. Add the mussels and clams, mixing well to absorb the flavor of the sofrito. Cook until the mussels and clams begin to open.
Add the rice to the paella pan and stir well to coat it with the sofrito. Then, add the saffron threads and sweet paprika, mixing well. Let it cook for a couple of minutes.
Pour the hot broth over the rice, making sure to cover it completely. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium and let it cook over low heat. Do not stir the rice after adding the broth so that it can form a crust on the bottom, characteristic of a good paella.
Halfway through cooking, about 10-15 minutes after adding the broth, add the shrimp and peas if you decide to use them. Cook until the rice is cooked and has absorbed all the liquid, which will take approximately 20 minutes.
Once the rice is cooked, turn off the heat and cover the paella pan with aluminum foil or a clean cloth. Let it rest for about 5 minutes before serving.
Finally, garnish the paella with fresh chopped parsley and serve with lemon quarters. Squeezing lemon over the paella enhances the seafood flavors incredibly.
This delicious seafood paella, with its rich flavors and aromas, is an ideal recipe to enjoy on a special Saturday, accompanied by good company and, why not, a good white wine. Enjoy your meal!
Source: MiMub in Spanish
