Ingredients
– 2 cups Bomba or Arborio rice
– 1 teaspoon saffron threads
– 4 cups seafood stock (or chicken stock)
– 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
– 1 lb mussels, cleaned
– 1 lb calamari, sliced
– 1 medium onion, finely chopped
– 4 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 red bell pepper, diced
– 1 cup frozen peas
– 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
– ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
– ½ cup white wine
– ¼ cup olive oil
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
– Lemon wedges (for serving)
Instructions
Creating perfect Seafood Paella with Saffron Rice requires attention to detail and following these simple steps:
1. Prepare Saffron: In a small bowl, soak the saffron threads in 2 tablespoons of warm seafood stock for about 10 minutes to release their flavor.
2. Heat Olive Oil: In a large paella pan or a wide skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
3. Cook Aromatics: Add the chopped onion and red bell pepper to the pan. Sauté for about 5 minutes until softened. Then, add the garlic and cook for an additional minute.
4. Add Spices: Stir in the smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and salt and pepper to taste. Cook for another minute until aromatic.
5. Incorporate Rice: Add the rice to the pan, stirring well to coat it with the oil and spices. Sauté the rice for 2-3 minutes to lightly toast it.
6. Pour in Liquid: Add the white wine, and let it cook for 1-2 minutes. Then pour in the seafood stock, including the saffron with its water, and stir to combine.
7. Bring to a Boil: Increase the heat and bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low.
8. Simmer: Allow the rice to simmer for 15-20 minutes without stirring, until al dente and most of the liquid is absorbed.
9. Add Seafood: Once the rice has absorbed the liquid, arrange the shrimp, mussels, and calamari on top of the rice. Press them slightly into the rice.
10. Cover and Cook: Reduce the heat to low and cover the pan with a lid or aluminum foil. Cook for an additional 5-10 minutes or until the mussels have opened and the shrimp are cooked through.
11. Add Peas: About 2 minutes before finishing, sprinkle the frozen peas over the top and allow them to warm through.
12. Rest and Garnish: Once cooked, remove the pan from heat and let it rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve with lemon wedges.
This straightforward process will guide you in creating a phenomenal Seafood Paella with Saffron Rice.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Fat: 12g
- Protein: 35g