Thursday 8 July 2010

Spanish favourite- Paella (two ways)

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.

Mixed veg. paella
White onion- 1, thinly sliced
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.

49 comments:

Unknown said...

The veg one looks mouth watering. I am surely making it.

Suji said...

Nisha
we loved both the versions and pictures are too good da...Looks so so tempting and eye catching color..

Love
Kairali sisters

Satya said...

the veg version looks wonderful...its mouthwatering...very colorful dish..i will surely make it

satya

http://superyummyrecipes.com/

Sayali said...

great recipe...easy to try out :)

Suhaina said...

i 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.

Nitha said...

Never had a chance to taste Spanish dishes.. This looks delicious..

Sanyukta Gour(Bayes) said...

paella rice looks so lovely n looks so inviting....looking @ the gorgeous color ate with eyes.first...loved both the versions...both look yum..

Nithya said...

The veg version is so tempting to me :) yummmm :) Lovely clicks. They look so elegant :)

Pointblank said...

Nishiii.... Just STOP cooking, will ye???? :D

s said...

Both looks fantastic...Gosh..Now Im REALLY hungry!

Priya Suresh said...

Droolworthy paellas, love both versions, cant take my eyes from both dishes, very tempting..

Pavithra Srihari said...

Love it .. Looks incredibly good ..

Neetz said...

wow!! i m drooling..cant help it..he he he :D...book marked and sure to try :)

Neetz said...

stumbled 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
http://neetzkitchen.blogspot.com

Simplyfood said...

Being aveggie I will vote for the veggie version .Both look devine colourful and tasty.

bron said...

Gorgeous photos - good enough to eat!

Funnily enough I dug out my Jose Pizarro book before work to check out what to cook Sunday night...

Umm Mymoonah said...

Never tried vegetarian version of paella, looks very colourful.

Rach said...

Usually 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 :)

Akanksha said...

nicely cooked and presented..loved your blog...following you

Sandhya Hariharan said...

good to know a fellow blogger from UK!!
Nice recipe.. and wow.. wot lovely clicks..... Following u from now on!!

Do take a sneak a peek at my blog whn time permits!

Cool Lassi(e) said...

Love bot the versions but I would reach for non-veg first cause love shrimps and love chorizo. Yum!

Suja Manoj said...

Dish looks so elegant and delicious..liked both versions.

Vineetha Sush said...

I 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.

Friday Delights said...

i can’t stop drooling…OMG, I want some!!!

AdukalaVishesham said...

As usual beautiful pics.. loved the last pic... loved the presentation..

Afsal_ Alif said...

The dish lukks colorfull and Awwesome like a Rangoli design.....
Lemme'know R u a supporter of the Spanish Soccer team....exprmntng with Spanish dishes.....?!.

PranisKitchen said...

wow really delicious one.. its really good to share the both veg and nonveg versions of paella. really yummy one.

Memória said...

What a coincidence! I made paella with chorizo, shrimp, and chicken a few days ago.

Your paella looks fantastic! Great photos.

Unknown said...

WOW!! What a tempting dish, Nisha!!! Fabulous clicks..Bookmarked!! Will try it soon..

Sanjeeta kk said...

First time to your blog, beautiful space and good presentation. Following you to get more of your recipes and more.
Best wishes.

Sarah, Maison Cupcake said...

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!)

By 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

Pratiba Bhat said...

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 :)

Hari Chandana P said...

The veg one looks really wonderful.. first time here.. lovely blog and delicious clicks dear.. Gr8 job !! :)

Prerna said...

Paella 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 :-(
But after seeing ur post and you assuring that its not that tough I think I'll give it a try.

RV said...

Even I wanted Spain to win and I only with they win this WC. The dish looks like a gourmet. Beautiful and inviting pictures

Sindhura said...

Awesome clicks.Looks inviting

Parita said...

Paella looks yummy, love the combo of veggies used, delicious!

PJ said...

paella 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?

Malar Gandhi said...

Loved the shrimp version, looks really tempting...beautiful clicks.

Sushma Mallya said...

Gorgeous clicks,so tempting and seems very delicious as well

Shabs.. said...

oh 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.;)

Yasmeen said...

Love the shrimp paella :D

Sarah Naveen said...

oh My..this makes me drooling!!!!!
heavenly...i love this...

callmeasviju said...

hi,
very nice blog........plz visit my blog if time permits.......http://lets-cook-something.blogspot.com/

Asha said...

That looks absolutely delicious

jen said...

i made this a few weeks ago and it came out delicious! thanks for the wonderful pictures and recipe! :)

Neha@ papermagictwigs said...

Looks amazing! Actually, all your food looks amazing (even though i'm vegetarian) :)
I could kill for a meal like this right now!

Sarah, Maison Cupcake said...

I LOVE paella, the colour always makes me feel happy. I never make my own though but not sure why?!

Anonymous said...

Your paella looks great! If you ever visit Spain come to our Paella cooking class!!