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paella-rodriguez

Photo by: Joseph De Leo

It’s hard to say which came first, paella or risotto. Similar as they are in method, however, the end results define — in culinary terms, at least — the essential difference between the Spanish and the Italians. What is basically a flavorful, savory porridge in the Italian kitchen becomes, in its Spanish counterpart, a fiesta of colors and diverse tastes. Paella derives its primary signatures from chorizo (Spanish sausage), saffron and short-grain rice. There are no truly exact measurements in paella and also no absolutely exact times. This recipe, created by writer and good friend Juan Rodriguez, can be followed to the letter, but as you will see there are moments when you’ll have to be the boss: Decide when to stir, when to reduce or increase heat, whether it could use an extra measure of stock; to let it catch a little to the pan (very tasty), but stop cooking before anything actually burns (bitter and unpleasant). Possibly the biggest variable is the kind of pan one uses. A metal pan will conduct heat better and is traditional, but the nonstick type we recommend is safer as it is less likely to burn the rice. When you’ve put up with all its quirks and mastered it, paella is extremely rewarding. It is as terrific for intimate dinners, as it is for larger affairs, and leftovers are excellent the next day. We suggest you try this recipe for 4 to get the hang of it and then multiply the quantities for a large celebratory batch with your friends.

Yield : Serves 4

Ingredients

  • 1 lb (500 g) chicken drumsticks (about 4) 
  • 6 oz (150 g) chorizo sausage 
  • 1/3 cup (75 mL) olive oil 
  • 2 cups (500 mL) finely diced onions 
  • 1 green pepper, cut into ½-inch (1 cm) squares 
  • Half red bell pepper, cut into ½-inch (1 cm) squares Half
  • 5 cloves garlic, chopped 
  • 2 cups (500 mL) short-grain rice 
  • 1 tsp (5 mL) saffron threads, crumbled 
  • ¾ cup (175 mL)frozen peas 
  • 6 cups (1.5 L) boiling medium-strength salted chicken stock 
  • ½ cup (125 mL) white wine 
  • ½ cup (125 mL) clam juice or ½ cup  additional white wine 
  • 8 oz (250 g) cleaned squid, cut into ¼-inch (5 mm) rings 
  • 8 oz (250 g) clams or mussels 
  • 1 medium tomato, seeded and cut into ½-inch (1 cm) cubes 
  • 3 tbsp (45 mL) lemon juice 
  • 8 oz (250 g) raw shrimp, peeled and deveined 
  • 4 canned artichoke hearts, drained and cut in half 
  • Lemon wedges
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Preheat oven to 350° F (180° C)

1. Bake chicken drumsticks to almost-but-not-quite done, about 30 minutes. Set aside. Meanwhile, slice chorizo in ¼-inch (5 mm) rings and cut rings in half to get half-moon pieces. In a frying pan, heat 1 tsp (5 mL) of the olive oil over high heat; add chorizo and cook, stirring often, for 3 minutes or until cooked but before it chars. With a slotted spoon, remove chorizo; set aside. Discard rendered chorizo fat.

2. In a deep nonstick saucepan, heat remaining olive oil over high heat for 1 minute. Add onions, green and red pepper; cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-high; cook, stirring often, about 8 minutes or until softened, golden, reduced in volume and just beginning to char. Add garlic and sauté 1 minute. Reduce heat to low. Add rice and saffron; cook, stirring, until well coated with oil. Stir in peas and chorizo.

3. Now begins the addition of the liquid and a cooking process of about 40 minutes. It is important to let each addition be absorbed before adding the next, and to keep playing with the heat, so that there is constant bubbling (keep your stock boiling as you use it). Start by stirring in 2 cups (500 mL) of the chicken stock. Raise heat to medium-high. Cook, stirring, for 5 to 6 minutes; as the liquid is absorbed, add wine and clam juice. Cook, stirring, 2 to 3 minutes or until absorbed.

4. Add ½ cup (125 mL) of stock and the squid. Cook, stirring, 2 minutes or until absorbed. Add another ½ cup (125 mL) stock, the clams and chicken drumsticks. Cook, stirring, 2 to 4 minutes or until absorbed. Stir in tomato. Add stock in increments of ½ cup (125 mL) and keep cooking and stirring to absorb each addition for 2 to 4 minutes before adding the next. Test your rice before adding the final half cups of stock. It should be soft but still separate, and the paella should be glistening, a little saucy and beginning to catch a touch on the bottom of the pan. Ideally you will have ½ cup (125 mL) of stock left over.

5. Reduce heat to medium-low. Sprinkle evenly with lemon juice; mix in. Stir in shrimp and place artichoke hearts on top of the rice. Cook undisturbed for 1 minute. Take off heat and cover loosely. Let rest for 15 minutes to develop flavor and absorb liquids.

6. Present paella in its cooking pot and let people serve themselves. Pass lemon wedges, salt and pepper for individual seasoning. Accompany with crusty bread and a green salad.


© 1998 Byron Ayanoglu and Algis Kemezy

Note from Cookstr's Editors

Nutritional information includes 1/4 teaspoon of added salt.

 

Nutritional Information

Nutrients per serving

1272 kcal
1621 mg
127 g
17 g
49 g
0 g
12 g
26 g
7 g
339 mg
13 g
73 g
196 mg
1935 mg
4 % daily value
141 % daily value
16 % daily value
67 % daily value

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