20071111

celia's paella

original recipe courtesy celia tejada

i was born in the town of ruerrero, in the foothills of the pyrenees mountains in northern spain. paella was always a part of my life there, since my mother used to always cook it at home for the family on sundays. so, i have also made paella part of my life here in san francisco, where i cook it with my own family & friends at our sunday dinners. paella, wine & friendship, bring us together while we enjoy a meal & celebrate life.

serves 4-5
1/2 lb short grain rice (preferred : valencia)
1/2 tsp saffron
1/4 tsp pimenton (spanish paprika)
4 cups chicken broth
1 cup dry white wine
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
10 fresh clams
5 fresh mussels
5 large shrimp, deveined/deshelled, butterflied
1/2 lb calamari, sliced
1/4 lb baby scallops
1/4 lb chorizo sausage, sliced
1/4 lb pork tenderloin, diced
1/2 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, diced
1/4 lb green peas (or green beans)
1 tomato, diced
192 onion, minced
1/2 tbsp garlic, minced
1/2 bunch scallions, chopped
1 tbsp italian parsley, chopped
1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 4 oz jar roasted red peppers, julienned
2 1/2 lemons, cut in half

in paella pan, put in olive oil and turn to medium heat.

once warm, add prawns briefly until they turn golden. remove & place in a side dish.

add calamari and cook just a bit until they have a little color. remove & place in a different side dish.

add onions & garlic. cook until onions are softened.

add chicken, chorizo, pork, saffron, pimoenton, black pepper & salt. mix well.

add calamari & scallops.

add rice evenly throughout the pan. DON'T STIR THE RICE. just make sure it is evenly distributed throughout the pan.

add half of chicken broth & half of wine.

add clams & mussels looking down so that their juices pour into the pan.

spread shrimp around the pan.

add green peas (or green beans) & parsley.

let cook until most liquid has been absorbed by the rice. continue to add liquid as needed.

total cooking time should be near 30 minutes.

serve with lemon halves.

2 comments:

JWHA said...

i have never had paella, but i am pretty sure what we made last weekend was the best i have ever had.

Unknown said...

:)

it's funny. the paella was pretty much my last memory of the night.

was fab. i owe celia, who i wish could smell this, a thank you note.