seafood
one-pot
for guests
main course
juicy
Spanish
all seasons
Hot
Seafood Paella
Difficulty
medium
Time
1h 10m
Price Category
expensive
Calories
Medium
Imagine sitting on the Spanish coast, with the aroma of fresh seafood filling the air. This paella recipe brings that exact experience right into your kitchen! It's bursting with flavors, colors, and the freshness of the sea, a truly festive dish that is guaranteed to enchant everyone. The perfect harmony of saffron-infused rice, succulent prawns, mussels, and calamari all in one pan.
ingredients
Steps
Prep and Sauté
In a large paella pan or wide, shallow skillet, heat 2 tbsp of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the calamari rings and sauté for 2-3 minutes, then remove and set aside. Next, add the chopped onion and bell peppers and cook for 5-7 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and smoked paprika, cooking for another 1 minute until fragrant.
Rice and Broth
Add the crushed tomatoes to the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes. Then, add the paella rice and stir for 1-2 minutes until the grains become translucent. Pour in the broth, add the saffron (previously soaked), and season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes without stirring.
Add Seafood
Arrange the prawns, mussels, and the reserved calamari on top of the rice. Sprinkle with frozen peas. Cover the pan (if you don't have a lid, use aluminum foil) and cook for another 10-15 minutes, or until the rice is tender, the liquid is absorbed, and the mussels have opened. Discard any mussels that did not open.
Rest and Serve
Remove the paella from the heat and let it rest, covered, for 5-10 minutes. This helps the flavors meld and the rice to become perfectly tender. Before serving, garnish with fresh, chopped parsley and serve with lemon wedges.
Extra Tips
► Don't stir the rice too much during cooking; let a delicious, crispy socarrat layer form at the bottom.
► Soak the saffron threads in a little warm broth for 10 minutes before adding them to enhance color and flavor.
► Before serving, let the paella rest, covered, for 5-10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the rice to become perfectly tender.
Nutrition
| Per 100g | Per Serving 400g / 1 serving | |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 180 kcal | 720 kcal |
| Protein | 12g | 48g |
| Fat | 5g | 20g |
| Carbohydrate | 22g | 88g |
| Fiber | 2g | 8g |
| Sugar | 2g | 8g |