Ok, since BSR asked... As I said, this LOOKS fiddly, but it really is just the case of following the instructions precisely. Also, you want a slight burned crust on the bottom (not innuendo intended) - that's the socarrat and one of the tastiest bits. Feel free to message me if you have questions or want to tell me how bad my recipe was! 🙂
Two things: first, it is essential to use arborio rice (same for risotto) and equally essential to use a paella pan (somethings like this: https://www.amazon.com/Machika-Enameled-Steel-Paella-inch/dp/B08BG5TP5M/). If you don't have those, really don't bother. Things will stick and burn - the liquids release them and add to the flavor.
Paella Valenciana
Ingredients:
- 1/2 lb chorizo or spicy sausage
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 cup green beans or snow peas, cut in 2-in pieces
- 12 small/medium shrimp
- Salt and pepper
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large tomato, grated
- Pinch of saffron
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp cayenne
- 1.25 cups arborio rice
- 2.5 cups chicken stock
Directions:
- Cut sausage and chicken into 1/2-inch pieces.
- Sprinkle shrimp with salt and pepper and mix well.
- Heat olive oil in a traditional paella pan over medium heat. When hot, sprinkle 1/2 tsp of salt and continue to heat for 1 minute.
- Add the chicken and sausage to the pan and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon.
- Add the onion and garlic to the pan and fry until soft, 2-3 minutes.
- Add the shredded tomato and green beans, and fry for 1 minute, scraping anything up off the bottom of the pan.
- Stir in the saffron, paprika and cayenne and then pour in the chicken stock.
- Raise heat to medium-high and bring stock to a boil. Salt lightly and then let boil for 1 minute.
- Add the rice, chicken and sausage to the pan and mix in. Then do not stir again for the rest of the cooking process.
- 6 minutes after adding the rice, place the shrimp on top of the mixture.
- 5 minutes after adding the shrimp, reduce the heat to medium. Cook for another 5 minutes.
- Raise the heat to high and cook for 2 minutes.
- Remove from heat and cover with a clean tea towel. Allow to rest for 5 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy.