Spanish Cuisine

Maria’s Paella Recipe – Spanish Special

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Maria’s Paella Recipe – Spanish Special

 
This calamari seafood paella is a dish that will have your family and friends pleading for more. With its rich flavors, it’s a cherished recipe from my family in Catalonia, Spain, passed down through generations.
  • Prep Time30 min
  • Cook Time40 min
  • Total Time1 hr 10 min

Maria's Paella Ingredients :

  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1 1/4 pounds chicken thighs
  • 1/2 cup diced onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1/4 pound calamari rings
  • 1/4 pound small shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1/2 green bell pepper, diced
  • 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
  • 6 cups water
  • 3 cups long grain rice
  • 1 (14 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup peas
  • 2 teaspoons saffron threads
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 6 large clams in shell, scrubbed
  • 6 jumbo shrimp in shells (21-25 per pound)
  • 6 large sea scallops
  • 6 lemon wedges

How To Make Maria's Paella :

1

Heat olive oil in a large skillet or paella pan over medium-high heat until it starts to smoke. Brown chicken thighs, skin-side down, until golden on both sides, about 5 minutes. Transfer chicken thighs to a plate and set aside.

2

Add onion and garlic to the skillet drippings. Cook and stir until onion is soft and translucent, about 1 minute. Stir in calamari, small shrimp, and bell peppers; cook and stir for 2 minutes.

3

Mix in water, rice, crushed tomatoes, peas, saffron, and salt until thoroughly combined. Return chicken thighs to the skillet. Simmer over medium-high heat for 15 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent rice from sticking.

4

Arrange clams and jumbo shrimp decoratively in the rice-chicken mixture. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes. Add scallops to the paella. Continue simmering, covered, until rice is tender and scallops are firm and opaque, about 5 minutes. Serve garnished with lemon wedges.

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