What is Paella?
Paella is a Spanish rice dish, originating in Valencia, Spain. This flavorful dish is most often made with chicken thighs but can be made with rabbit, Spanish chorizo and/or seafood with vegetables like peppers, green beans, onions and garlic.
Ingredients needed
You can use any variety of seafood for this recipe but I love using shrimp, mussels and calamari/squid. Clams, crab, lobster tails etc will also be delicious. I use onion, fresh garlic cloves, Spanish smoked paprika and tomatoes to flavor the rice.
Prawns/Shrimp. If using frozen, thaw before cooking then peel and devein. Mussels. I used half-shell mussels. If using fresh mussels, tap gently on the kitchen counter. If they close, they are fresh, if they don’t, discard them. Similarly, if the mussels don’t open once cooked, discard them. Calamari. I used calamari tubes but squid tentacles or calamari rings will also work. Other seafood options: Clams and chunks of white fish will also work. Paella Rice. I used Arborio rice but Spanish Bomba is more traditional. Any short-grain rice will work. Onion. Fresh garlic cloves. Smoked paprika. I used paprika both for color and flavor but you could add a pinch of saffron threads too if you wish. Chopped tomatoes. You could use other vegetables like red bell pepper and green peas too. Chicken broth/Fish stock. Seafood broth can also be used. Salt and black pepper. Lemon wedges. Parsley.
How to make Seafood Paella
Can I make this in advance?
Although best enjoyed right after cooking (the seafood can become tough if cooked too far in advance), any leftovers can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a large skillet or pan over medium heat with a splash of stock/broth until hot throughout.
Seafood recipes
