Spring Vegetable Paella Recipe
Welcome to this delightful journey into the flavors of spring with our Spring Vegetable Paella recipe! Bursting with vibrant colors and fresh ingredients, this Spanish-inspired dish is a true celebration of seasonal produce. ๐ฑโจ
Recipe Overview
- Name: Spring Vegetable Paella
- Cuisine: Spanish
- Keywords: European, Low Cholesterol, Healthy, Spring, Weeknight, < 4 Hours
- Total Time: 1 hour and 45 minutes
- Preparation Time: 15 minutes
- Cooking Time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Calories per Serving: 244.3
- Rating: 4.5 stars
Ingredients
Let’s gather the ingredients to create this culinary masterpiece:
| Ingredients | Quantities |
|---|---|
| Artichoke hearts | 5-6 |
| Brown rice | 1 1/2 cups |
| Salt | 1 tsp |
| Saffron | 1 pinch |
| Onions | 2 medium |
| Celery | 1 stalk |
| Garlic | 2 cloves |
| Extra virgin olive oil | 1/4 cup |
| Dried thyme | 1 tsp |
| Red bell pepper | 1 |
| Asparagus | 1 bunch |
| Green peas | 1 cup |
| Frozen green peas | 1 cup |
| Chopped tomato | 1 |
| Chives | For garnish |
| Scallion | For garnish |
| Snow peas | For garnish |
Instructions
Let’s dive into the cooking process step by step:
-
Prepare Artichoke Hearts:
- Drain the artichoke hearts, reserving the brine.
- Quarter the artichoke hearts and set aside.
-
Cook Rice:
- Add water to the artichoke brine to make 2 1/2 cups of liquid.
- Combine the rice, salt, and saffron in a heavy saucepan with a tight-fitting lid.
- Cover and bring to a boil over high heat.
- Reduce the heat and simmer gently until the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed, which should take about 45 to 60 minutes.
-
Prepare Vegetables:
- While the rice is cooking, sautรฉ the onions, celery, and garlic in the olive oil over medium-high heat for approximately 5 minutes or until the onions soften.
- Add the dried thyme, bell peppers, and asparagus. Cover and sautรฉ on medium heat, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the green peas, chopped tomato, and reserved artichoke hearts. Cover and simmer for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
-
Season and Serve:
- Season the vegetable mixture with salt and pepper to taste.
- To serve the paella, spread the cooked rice on a large platter or in a large bowl.
- Top the rice with the sautรฉed vegetables and their juices.
- Garnish with chopped chives or scallions and steamed snow peas if desired.
-
Enjoy!:
- Your Spring Vegetable Paella is now ready to be served and enjoyed! ๐ฒ๐ผ
Nutritional Information
- Calories: 244.3 per serving
- Fat Content: 3.2g
- Saturated Fat Content: 0.6g
- Cholesterol Content: 0mg
- Sodium Content: 563.8mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 48.1g
- Fiber Content: 9.3g
- Sugar Content: 6.5g
- Protein Content: 9.2g
Tips and Tricks
- For a richer flavor, consider using vegetable broth instead of water when cooking the rice.
- Feel free to customize your paella by adding your favorite seasonal vegetables or protein sources like tofu or shrimp.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated for a quick and delicious meal.
Conclusion
With its aromatic saffron-infused rice and colorful assortment of spring vegetables, our Spring Vegetable Paella is sure to impress your taste buds and brighten up your dinner table. Whether you’re looking for a healthy weeknight dinner or planning a special springtime feast, this recipe is a perfect choice. Enjoy the flavors of the season with this delightful Spanish-inspired dish! ๐ธ๐ฅ
