My love affair with Paella began when I first had it about six years ago in this cute little restaurant that we frequented.They served the most delectable Seafood Paella steaming hot with lobsters,shrimp, mussels and clams all decoratively arranged on a huge platter that was so visually appealing that we couldn’t wait to dig in.
In my pursuit to find the one perfect recipe I tried hard probing the net.I even found a recipe and tried it, but the first time I made it I wasn’t much impressed with the sticky consistency of the rice.I had used Long grain Basmati rice and didn’t quite get the rice to liquid ratio resulting in a rather sticky Paella.
Determined to try again I set on my quest once more to find the perfect Paella recipe and that led me to a blog that I absolutely love called Adora’s Box with tons of lovely recipes.
The few changes I made were:
I used Arborio Rice.
Added some Chorizo Sausages.
Cooked on the stove-top.
Didn’t use red bell peppers or squid because I didn’t have any!
This time the Paella came out beautiful!!Exactly as I’d imagined it to be.The Arborio rice was nice and fluffy, not at all sticky and the flavors blended beautifully.
Ingredients
- Arborio Rice-2 cups
- Onion (medium)-1 chopped
- Garlic- 4-5 Cloves Crushed
- Saffron-1 tsp
- Tomato paste-1 tbsp
- 15 oz can of crushed tomato
- Shrimp-12 pieces peeled and deveined
- Chorizo Sausages-2 cut into rounds
- Mussels-about 12
- Fish Stock-3 cups
- Frozen Peas-1 cup
- Olive Oil-2 tbsps
- Salt- to taste
Instructions
- Heat some of the stock in a pot and add the mussels.
- Parboil them just until they open up.Strain them and mix the liquid back into the fish stock.
- In a paella pan or deep skillet heat olive oil and add the Shrimp.Cook until pink on both sides.
- Keep aside. In the same oil add the Chorizo sausage and brown them on both sides.
- Keep aside.Add the onions and garlic into the skillet along with tomato paste and can of tomatoes.
- Fry for about 2 minutes and add the rice and saffron.Add the fish stock and bring it to a boil.
- Once it starts boiling reduce the heat, cover the skillet with a tight fitting lid and cook for 15 minutes or until all the stock is absorbed.
- Open the lid and arrange the Shrimp, sausage, mussels and peas and put the lid back on.
- Let it cook for 5 more minutes.
- You can serve the Paella as it is or transfer in a tray.Garnish with fresh parsley!
Thanks for your lovely comments!I also love your recipes very much 🙂
Oh Soni, how I love paella!! Your pics are awesome. I love your blog and am now a follower! Thanks for stopping by TheSaucyGourmet.net
Thanks so much Purabi!Loved your veggie dumplings recipe as well 🙂
This looks so stunning! I loved your recipe for paella rice. Your blog has a great collection of recipes. Would love to visit you again!
http://cosmopolitancurrymania.blogspot.com
Thanks Ridwan!Can’t wait to make your Tom Yum Soup 🙂
I love seafood Looks Yummy and very colorful ,thanks for checking out my blog 🙂
Ridwan
Thanks Junia!I know, its soo tasty, one of my favorite meal too 🙂
paella is one of favorite dishes!!! yours looks FABULOUS. arborio rice is a must. basmati rice is always on the drier side. i learned how to make it in spain and i fell in love with it! this one is my recipe “veggie paella” but when i make it for other ppl, i totally add in chorizo and all that good seafood! http://www.juniakk.blogspot.com/2011/01/veggie-paella.html
Thanks Sudha!I loved your recipes and have already bookmarked a few 🙂
Hello Soni,
Thank you so much for coming over to my blog and joining me – really glad to meet you:)You have a wonderful blog here and not only are the recipes delicious but your photography is awesome!I love how you arrange everything and take shots from perfect angles.Joining you from now on as your newest follower – do keep on stopping by my place!
Thanks Terra!
I always say I need to make Paella, but still have not. My husband and I love mussels, and really any seafood. I love the recipe your found, it looks wonderful! Beautiful, Hugs, Terra
Thanks Cucina!
Thanks Kankana!All the flavors together enhance this dish.
That first photo is spectacular. YOu made a gorgeous paella!
I am a seafood lover and very recently started eating shell fish! This dish is so vibrant and filled with flavor.. loved it!
Thanks Alisha!Yeah they make for a great presentation, but both versions are equally delicious!
Gorgeous paella! I do a vegetarian version that I should post sometime, but the seafood versions are always much prettier 🙂
Thanks MJ!Chorizo gives a nice flavor and color to the Paella.
I love paella but I’ve never had one with chorizo. It’s sounds marvelous! Great paella!
Thankyou Liz!They turned out pretty good 🙂
PERFECT paella!!! I love that your peas are still bright green…yum, yum!
Thanks Nava, I also enjoy these one-pot meals!
I have to agree with that this is really beautiful. Similarly I do enjoy fluffy rice and with all those added inside, a complete meal for the day.
Thanks Elpiniki!It was indeed!
Looks so delicious!