Did you guys see the Spain- Germany game? I secretly wanted Spain to win and voila they did. And as coincidence would have it, I made this Spanish favourite of ours today, and what better way to say 'way to go Spain' than with this utterly delicious all in one paella (pronounced paeya), a wholesome meal.
I was introduced to Spanish food two years back and there was no looking back. However, it was the Chorizo and seafood paella at Borough Market (Monchichi of 'Not another big menu' has given a nice description of Borough Market) that blew my mind away. Ro and myself used to frequently have lunch dates at Borough Market and if it wasn't the Thai curry stall, then it was definitely Paella and Sangria for lunch on Fridays. I never in my dreams thought I'd actually attempt making paella at home, but after doing some research online, I decided to give it a shot anyways, only to realize its one of the easiest meal preparations, especially because you can add in veggies and meat and what not and have it on its own. There was no hassle of gravy or side dish, just a glass (well a bottle in our case) of Rioja wine and we were happy!
Now, I have made two versions of it. One is the veggie version and the other a chorizo and shrimp version, both equally tasty and not out-of-the-way difficult.
Garlic- 4 pods, crushed and chopped into tiny slices
Courgette- 1 medium, sliced into small cubes
Red pepper- 1, cut into long thin strips (I used one red sweet pointed pepper)
Button mushrooms- 1/2 cup, cleaned and sliced
Jalapeño pepper- 1 large, roughly chopped (optional)
Tomato- 2 large, roughly chopped
Paprika- 1 tsp
Turmeric powder- 1/4 tsp (more if you want a stronger colour)
Cumin powder- 1 tsp
Dried chilli's - 4, crushed
Paella rice/ risotto rice- 1 1/2 cups
Vegetable/ chicken broth/ water- 3 cups (hot)
Frozen peas- a handful
Spring onions/ scallions- 4, white part roughly chopped
Parsley- a few sprigs for garnish (optional)
Olive oil- 2 tbsp
Salt- to taste
Heat the olive oil in a container (big enough to hold the rice) and sauté the onions till soft and fragrant.
Add the garlic and continue sautéing for a few more minutes.
In goes the courgette, red pepper, mushrooms and jalapeño pepper. Cook on medium heat till the veggies are slightly cooked, stirring in between.
Add the chopped tomatoes and keep stirring. Cook till the oil starts to separate.
Add the paprika, turmeric and cumin powder, dried chilli flakes and salt. Combine well, making sure the veggies are all coated well.
Add the paella rice and mix well, stirring for about 3 to 4 minutes, till the rice begins to slightly crackle.
Add the hot stock/ water at this point. Give it a mix, close the lid and cook on medium to high flame till the rice is cooked through. If its starts burning or sticking to the vessel, pour some more water. Its ok if the mix is lightly mushy and loose, that's how the consistency should be.
Check for salt spice, add if required.
Add the frozen peas towards the end, about 3 minutes before you take it off the flame. Stir well and just before serving throw in the scallions and garnish with parsley leaves.
Non- veg version
Spanish chorizo- 3/4 cup, diced
Shrimp- 200gms, de-veined and cleaned
In a frying pan, cook the chorizo slices for 5 to 6 minutes or until soft.
Add the shrimp to this and cook on high heat for a few minutes. The oil oozing out of the paella will give a nice flavour to the shrimp and will also cook it.
Drain on paper towels. Keep aside.
At the stage where you add the green peas to the rice mix, add the cooked chorizo and shrimp and give it a final stir.
Edited to add: this pic got tastespotted and foodgawked:)
Notes: Any vegetable of your choice can be used, for example, zuccini, asparagus, beans etc.Any meat and seafood of your choice can also be included. Mussels, squid, chicken etc. are very popular
I did not have stock with me, so I used water. It turned out perfectly fine. Next time however I would like to add about a half cup white wine as well.
Paella is actually made in a paella dish which I didn't have. I guess a heavy-based saucepan would be your closest bet.
Sending the Mixed veg. Paella to the AWED-Spain event hosted by Priya this month, brain child of DK of Chef In You.
The veg one looks mouth watering. I am surely making it.
ReplyDeleteNisha
ReplyDeletewe loved both the versions and pictures are too good da...Looks so so tempting and eye catching color..
Love
Kairali sisters
the veg version looks wonderful...its mouthwatering...very colorful dish..i will surely make it
ReplyDeletesatya
http://superyummyrecipes.com/
great recipe...easy to try out :)
ReplyDeletei was looking for an easy recipe since I saw this on TV. U have a perfect one. will soon try it. thats for sharing. love the wonderful colours. nice snaps too.
ReplyDeleteNever had a chance to taste Spanish dishes.. This looks delicious..
ReplyDeletepaella rice looks so lovely n looks so inviting....looking @ the gorgeous color ate with eyes.first...loved both the versions...both look yum..
ReplyDeleteThe veg version is so tempting to me :) yummmm :) Lovely clicks. They look so elegant :)
ReplyDeleteNishiii.... Just STOP cooking, will ye???? :D
ReplyDeleteBoth looks fantastic...Gosh..Now Im REALLY hungry!
ReplyDeleteDroolworthy paellas, love both versions, cant take my eyes from both dishes, very tempting..
ReplyDeleteLove it .. Looks incredibly good ..
ReplyDeletewow!! i m drooling..cant help it..he he he :D...book marked and sure to try :)
ReplyDeletestumbled upon ur blog thru another blogger :)...got an awesome blog..i noticed that ur a writer..gosh!! how amazing..i always used to wonder how can the writers actually think and write so much he he he ;)... i think its a tough job but very exciting :).... happy to follow u and i would eually value ur comments and thoughts on mine too :)..plz do drop by at
ReplyDeletehttp://neetzkitchen.blogspot.com
Being aveggie I will vote for the veggie version .Both look devine colourful and tasty.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos - good enough to eat!
ReplyDeleteFunnily enough I dug out my Jose Pizarro book before work to check out what to cook Sunday night...
Never tried vegetarian version of paella, looks very colourful.
ReplyDeleteUsually I look at picture, guess the ingredients, look at ingredients , then the recipe, perfect and I guessed it right. Paella word is new for me. Though the plate appeared to be some wholesome meal made out of risotto and yes, it is. Yummy. My mouth is already watering here :)
ReplyDeletenicely cooked and presented..loved your blog...following you
ReplyDeletegood to know a fellow blogger from UK!!
ReplyDeleteNice recipe.. and wow.. wot lovely clicks..... Following u from now on!!
Do take a sneak a peek at my blog whn time permits!
Love bot the versions but I would reach for non-veg first cause love shrimps and love chorizo. Yum!
ReplyDeleteDish looks so elegant and delicious..liked both versions.
ReplyDeleteI never expected Spain to win yst after the germans win over Engalnd..Anyway Since I dint bet anywhere I dont mind who wins or loose.By the way ur paella looks sooooooo lovely.I defintely shude try this out,bookmarking this one.Being lazy I am not sure when I am going to try,anyway will let u know if I try it out soon.
ReplyDeletei can’t stop drooling…OMG, I want some!!!
ReplyDeleteAs usual beautiful pics.. loved the last pic... loved the presentation..
ReplyDeleteThe dish lukks colorfull and Awwesome like a Rangoli design.....
ReplyDeleteLemme'know R u a supporter of the Spanish Soccer team....exprmntng with Spanish dishes.....?!.
wow really delicious one.. its really good to share the both veg and nonveg versions of paella. really yummy one.
ReplyDeleteWhat a coincidence! I made paella with chorizo, shrimp, and chicken a few days ago.
ReplyDeleteYour paella looks fantastic! Great photos.
WOW!! What a tempting dish, Nisha!!! Fabulous clicks..Bookmarked!! Will try it soon..
ReplyDeleteFirst time to your blog, beautiful space and good presentation. Following you to get more of your recipes and more.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes.
Both of those look fantastic! I love paella but never seem to make it at home. I love seeing the great big vats of it on markets in the south of France towards Spanish border (I must confess my sole visit to Spain was very brief!)
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I am formulating ideas for a themed series of guest posts on my blog later this summer. I wondered if you might be interested? Pop me an email at sarah@maisoncupcake.com if you are. xx
Your clicks are awesome :) I just love the way you present your dishes :) I just entered the cooking world and started a cookery blog :) HAppy to follow you and be here :) Thanks for sharing. TAke care :)
ReplyDeleteThe veg one looks really wonderful.. first time here.. lovely blog and delicious clicks dear.. Gr8 job !! :)
ReplyDeletePaella is something I've always wanted to try but somehow some dishes have this scary look on thr face and that's what happens to me when I think of trying it. I look at its face and get scared :-(
ReplyDeleteBut after seeing ur post and you assuring that its not that tough I think I'll give it a try.
Even I wanted Spain to win and I only with they win this WC. The dish looks like a gourmet. Beautiful and inviting pictures
ReplyDeleteAwesome clicks.Looks inviting
ReplyDeletePaella looks yummy, love the combo of veggies used, delicious!
ReplyDeletepaella with sangria! i am game on any day :D awesome clicks too. never knew paella was so easy to make at home.. i have got to try this soon. which wine did you pair it with?
ReplyDeleteLoved the shrimp version, looks really tempting...beautiful clicks.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous clicks,so tempting and seems very delicious as well
ReplyDeleteoh those looks sooo good!!!i want to give it a shot....yum yum yum.....loved teh colour and the combination of vegetables and teh texture as well...never tried paella before....pinney thanks for mentioning how to pronounce it else i would have done it in out=r mallu style....paeeeelllllaa.;)
ReplyDeleteLove the shrimp paella :D
ReplyDeleteoh My..this makes me drooling!!!!!
ReplyDeleteheavenly...i love this...
hi,
ReplyDeletevery nice blog........plz visit my blog if time permits.......http://lets-cook-something.blogspot.com/
That looks absolutely delicious
ReplyDeletei made this a few weeks ago and it came out delicious! thanks for the wonderful pictures and recipe! :)
ReplyDeleteLooks amazing! Actually, all your food looks amazing (even though i'm vegetarian) :)
ReplyDeleteI could kill for a meal like this right now!
I LOVE paella, the colour always makes me feel happy. I never make my own though but not sure why?!
ReplyDeleteYour paella looks great! If you ever visit Spain come to our Paella cooking class!!
ReplyDelete