Paella

Seafood and Chicken Paella

Paella is Spain's national dish. Spanish pronunciation would be 'Payea'. Like Indians have Biriyani, Italians have Risotto, Spanish have their Paella. Basically it is Rice cooked in some kind of stock with chicken, seafood, chorizo (special spanish sausage). Other vital ingredients are Saffron and Smoked Paprika. Usually a starchy short grain rice is used, called Paella rice, you can use Arborio rice as well. If they are not available in your part of the world, use any rice you like except parboiled rice.

There are many varieties, this is a classic version which has been tried, tested and simplified without compromising the taste. It will come out perfect everytime!

Ingredients:

1. Olive oil 1/4 cup
2. Chicken thighs (skin on, bone in) 6-8
3. Onion 2 > chopped
4. Garlic. 1 whole > peeled and chopped
5. Red chilli. 1 > remove seeds > chopped 
6. Chorizo sausage (optional) 4 > cut in pieces 
7. King prawns 10-15 (depending on size) 
8. Paella Rice 2 cups (Arborio or any rice)
9. Stock 1 litre (4 cups) > hot (I use 4 Knorr Vegetable Stock Pots)
10. Smoked Paprika 2 tsp
11. Saffron 1 tsp
12. Tomato paste 1 tbsp
13. Salt to taste (you may not need)
14. Peas 1 cup
15. Tomato 1 > deseeded and chopped 
16. Parsley or Chives to garnish

Cooking:

• Make Stock: 1 litre (4 cups) hot water + 4 Knorr Vegetable Stock Pot* + Saffron + Tomato paste + Paprika
• Heat 3 tbs Olive Oil on medium heat in a wide Paella pan 
• Fry the Chicken in olive oil until both side is golden brown > set aside
• Fry Sausage and Prawn for 2 minutes > set aside
• add remaining Oil
• Fry Onion, Red Chilli and Garlic > about 2 min
• Add Rice and fry for 2 minutes 
• Add hot Stock
• Add Chicken pieces and Sausages
• Check if you need to add Salt
• Bring to boil
• Reduce heat way down low
• Cover and simmer for 30 mins
• Add Prawns on the rice
• Cover, turn the heat off and let it rest for 10 minutes > ENJOY!

* Stock is the most vital ingredient, you can use any stock cubes or pots to make the stock. There are readymade stocks available in supermarkets. You will have to try them to find one you like. 

To Serve: Sprinkle chopped tomatoes and chives  over.

Variations: You can use all kinds of seafood (white fish, squid/calamari, mussels, prawns with shell on or off) in any combination to make purely seafood paella. Now a days there are vegetarian Paella, but it's really a compromise to accommodate the vegetarians! If you like it hot, you can add more chilli with the seeds and chilli flakes.