Spanish Paella

INGREDIENTS

6 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, diced
1/2 red capsicum, sliced into 1cm strips
4 large cloves garlic, chopped finely
750g large prawns, shells removed & deveined
250g squid, cleaned & sliced or 200g calamari rings
Pinch of saffron threads, 8-10
1.5 litres light fish stock
Sprig thyme
1 teaspoon ground coriander seeds
2 red chili, seeds removed & chopped finely
1 teaspoon sweet paprika
4 Roma tomatoes, chopped finely or 500ml passata
2 teaspoons sea salt
350g paella rice (short & round)
300g mussels, de-bearded & cleaned
300g clams, washed & simmered in salted water for 5 minutes

METHOD

Step 1

Heat a paella pan to medium. Add 3 tablespoons of the oil and sauté the onion & capsicum until caramelised. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Push the vegetables to the side, add 2 tablespoons oil then add the prawns and squid and stir well.

Step 2

Remove the vegetables from the pan, separating the capsicum and set aside. Cook the prawns 1 minute on each side, remove and continue cooking the calamari for a further 5 minutes, stirring all the while, then also remove and set aside with the prawns. Add the saffron to the stock.

Step 3

Add 1 tablespoon of oil to the pan and return the onions & garlic. Stir through the thyme, coriander, chili & paprika. Add the tomatoes and salt and stir until cook for 2 minutes. Add the rice to the pan and stir well. Turn off the gas and let it rest for 5 minutes, this will ensure the rice fully absorbs all the flavours.

Step 4

Turn the gas on again to medium and stir in the stock, covering the rice completely. Do not stir beyond this point! Cook the rice for 5 minutes then add the mussels, pushing them gently into the rice. Turn the heat to minimum and cook a further 10 minutes. Arrange the capsicum, prawns, calamari & clams decoratively on the top of the paella, cook for further 5 minutes then turn off the gas. Cover the paella with a clean tea-towel and allow to rest for 5-6 minutes.

Step 5

Sliced Chorizo sausage and diced chicken thighs may be added or substituted.