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Spanish Recipe Paella
Paella is one of the most popular of Spanish recipes. Something of a Castilian cousin to Italian risotto, this is a dish, which can accommodate a nearly endless variety of ingredients, though seafood such as shrimp is a common flavor in this Spanish classic. This paella recipe is no exception, including shrimp along with peas and other vegetables to give a fresh contrast to the rich and savory tastes of the shrimp, saffron, and other spices, which make this recipe so special.
Like any paella, this dish takes some time to get together; though this is a classic one dish meal, it also involves a good amount of prep time and a relatively large number of ingredients. It may not be something you can throw together in ten minutes while your dinner guests are on their way over, but the flavor of this paella recipe makes it well worth the effort - something everyone at your table will definitely agree with.
Paella With Shrimp and Fresh Vegetables
Ingredients -
1 tablespoon olive oil, plus extra for sautéing the shrimp
½ cup onion, diced
½ cup red bell pepper, diced
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups rice
1 ⅓ cups chicken or vegetable stock
½ teaspoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon dried oregano
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1 pinch saffron
1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 cup fresh or frozen green peas (thaw first if using frozen)
½ cup fresh or frozen green beans, chopped (thaw first if using frozen)
Preparation:
Start by heating 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet on medium heat. Add your minced garlic, onion and bell peppers and sautéing until tender, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add the spices and rice, sautéing for about two minutes, stirring constantly. Once the rice is coated with oil and the aroma of the spices starts to emerge, add the chicken or vegetable stock, and bring the mixture to a boil before reducing to a simmer and covering.
In the meantime, sauté the shrimp (with a little extra garlic, if desired) in another skillet until cooked through, about 5 minutes. Add the shrimp, peas, and green beans, stirring in gently and recovering the skillet. Cook for another 5-10 minutes, or until the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is tender. Once it is done, allow the paella to rest, covered for a few minutes, and then serve while hot.
(Serves 4)
Photo Description:
A bowl of piping hot Spanish-style paella with shrimp along with fresh green peas and green beans. This is a dish, which is simply bursting with flavor and makes a wonderful main course, side dish or even a snack. There is no wrong time to enjoy paella, especially with a paella recipe, which is this good! It may be a relatively labor-intensive dish to prepare, but there is no question that a great paella is well worth the time and effort that goes into it.
