Paella Valencia is a classic Spanish dish renowned for its vibrant flavors and hearty ingredients. This one-dish meal combines chicken, seafood, rice, and aromatic spices to create a dish that’s as visually stunning as it is delicious. Let’s delve into the details of this recipe to ensure you can recreate it perfectly at home.
Recipe Overview:
- Name: Paella Valencia
- Cook Time: 26 minutes
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 51 minutes
- Description: Make and share this Paella Valencia recipe from lovewithrecipes.com.
- Recipe Category: One Dish Meal
- Keywords: Chicken, Poultry, Meat, Spanish, European, < 60 Mins
- Recipe Servings: 2
- Aggregated Rating: 4 (based on 1 review)
Ingredients:
Here are the ingredients needed for Paella Valencia, with quantities specified:
- 1/2 lemon
- 1 1/4 cups peas (frozen peas can be used)
- 2 chicken thighs (can substitute with chicken breasts)
- 1 garlic clove
- 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup rice
- 4 1/2 cups chicken or seafood stock
- 1 pinch saffron threads (crushed)
- 1 onion
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Seafood mix (such as squid, prawns, mussels, and clams) – quantity not specified, adjust to taste
Nutritional Information per Serving:
- Calories: 598.4
- Total Fat: 28.6g
- Saturated Fat: 6.2g
- Cholesterol: 79.4mg
- Sodium: 97mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 62.9g
- Dietary Fiber: 3.9g
- Sugar: 3.7g
- Protein: 22.7g
Instructions:
Follow these steps to prepare Paella Valencia:
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Preparation:
- If using chicken thighs, prepare them by removing excess fat and cutting them into bite-sized pieces.
- Chop the onion and garlic finely.
- Crush the saffron threads to release their flavor.
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Cooking:
- Heat olive oil in a large pan or wok over medium heat.
- Add the chicken pieces, chopped onion, and garlic. Fry until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.
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Adding Rice:
- Stir in the rice, ensuring it’s coated with the oil and mixed with the chicken and aromatics. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring continuously.
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Adding Stock and Saffron:
- Pour in the chicken or seafood stock and add the crushed saffron threads. Stir well to combine.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for approximately 15 minutes or until the rice absorbs most of the liquid.
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Adding Seafood Mix:
- Add the seafood mix (squid, prawns, mussels, and clams) to the pan. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the seafood is cooked through and all the liquid is absorbed. This usually takes about 10 minutes, but timing may vary based on your seafood selection and size.
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Final Touches:
- Stir in the peas (thawed if using frozen) and season the paella with salt and pepper to taste.
- Turn off the heat, cover the pan, and let the paella settle for about 10 minutes.
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Serving:
- While the paella rests, cut the lemon into wedges.
- Serve the Paella Valencia garnished with lemon wedges and accompanied by warm brown bread.
Tips for Success:
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Seafood Selection: You can use a ready-made seafood mix from the supermarket or customize it by choosing your favorite seafood items. Ensure they are cleaned and prepared properly before adding to the paella.
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Rice: Use Spanish short-grain rice like Bomba or Calasparra for authentic texture and flavor absorption.
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Saffron: This spice is essential for imparting the traditional golden color and subtle flavor to the paella. It’s worth investing in good quality saffron for the best results.
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Cooking Vessel: A wide, shallow pan or traditional paella pan (paellera) is ideal for cooking paella, allowing the rice to cook evenly and absorb the flavors.
By following these detailed instructions and tips, you’ll be able to prepare a delightful Paella Valencia that’s packed with savory goodness and sure to impress your family and friends. Enjoy this taste of Spanish cuisine right in your own kitchen!
