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Seafood Paella with Saffron Rice: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe


  • Author: Lauren Baker
  • Total Time: 1 hour

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