What is seafood paella made of?

Seafood paella is a flavorful mix of saffron-infused rice, various seafood (like shrimp, mussels, clams, and fish), vegetables such as onions, peppers, and tomatoes, and aromatic spices like smoked paprika. It's a complete meal in one pan!

What is the secret ingredient in paella?

There's no single secret ingredient, but the magic comes from the combination of saffron, smoked paprika, and good quality fish stock. These ingredients create the distinctive flavor of paella. And, like my grandma always said, a little bit of love never hurts!

What are the 10 essential ingredients for paella?

The 10 essentials for a delicious paella are: rice (Bomba or Calasparra), seafood, onions, peppers, tomatoes, garlic, saffron, smoked paprika, fish stock (or seafood broth), and olive oil. These are the building blocks of flavor!

What is traditionally in paella?

Traditional paella, originating from Valencia, Spain, often includes rabbit, chicken, and snails, along with vegetables like beans. Seafood paella, a popular variation, focuses mainly on seafood, offering a lighter and equally delicious alternative. For a twist on traditional flavors, explore these chicken cutlet recipes.

Seafood Paella: A Delicious 30-Minute Recipe

Description

A vibrant and flavorful Spanish dish with saffron-infused rice, fresh seafood, and aromatic vegetables. Perfect for a special occasion or a quick weeknight meal.

Ingredients

Scale

1 ½ cups Bomba rice (or Calasparra rice)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
¼ teaspoon saffron threads
4 cups fish stock or seafood broth
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 pound mussels, scrubbed and debearded
½ pound calamari rings (optional)
½ pound cod or other firm white fish, cut into 1-inch pieces
Lemon wedges (optional)
Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Ingredients: Chop onion and bell peppers. Mince garlic. Scrub and debeard mussels. Rinse and dry shrimp. Cut fish into 1-inch pieces.

2. Sauté the Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a paella pan or large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and bell peppers, cook until softened (5-7 minutes). Add garlic, cook for 1 minute.

3. Bloom the Saffron: Add smoked paprika and saffron, cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly.

4. Add Tomatoes and Rice: Stir in diced tomatoes and rice. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring to coat.

5. Pour in Stock: Add fish stock/seafood broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.

6. Arrange Seafood: Arrange shrimp, mussels, calamari (if using), and fish over the rice. Cover and cook for 10-15 minutes, or until seafood is cooked through and rice is tender.

7. Rest and Serve: Remove from heat, let rest covered for 5-10 minutes. Garnish with lemon wedges and parsley, if desired.

Notes

Use Bomba or Calasparra rice for best results. Feel free to vary the seafood. For a vegetarian option, omit seafood and use vegetable broth. Adjust spice level with cayenne pepper or chorizo.

Cook Time: 25-32 minutes (estimated based on instructions)
Category: Lunch
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Spanish

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe

Keywords: Seafood Paella, Paella, Seafood, Spanish Cuisine, Spanish Food, Rice Dish, Dinner, Easy Recipe, Quick Recipe, Shellfish