Savor the vibrant flavors of Spain with this comprehensive guide to preparing Jamie Oliver's Easy Paella. Discover the secrets of crafting this classic dish, from mastering the art of cooking aromatic rice to selecting the perfect ingredients. Whether you're a seasoned paella enthusiast or a novice home cook, this article will equip you with the knowledge and confidence to create a delicious and authentic paella, capturing the essence of Spanish cuisine in your kitchen.
Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!
SEAFOOD PAELLA
It's worth making your own prawn stock, but if you don't have time, substitute it with fish stock that's been simmered over a low heat and seasoned with paprika and saffron.
Provided by Andy Harris
Categories Mains Jamie Magazine Seafood Dinner Party Alfresco Spanish
Time 2h10m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 28
Steps:
- Start by making the stock. Peel and roughly chop the onion, then peel the garlic, keeping them whole.
- Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pan over a medium heat and sauté the onion, garlic, paprika, bay leaves and prawn shells and heads for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the wine and fish stock and bring to the boil. Lower the heat and simmer for 30 minutes, or until it starts to reduce.
- Strain through a colander into a large jug and set aside until needed (when you come to make the paella, just reheat the stock until hot, but not boiling).
- For the sofrito, peel and dice the onions and garlic, then add to a large frying pan over a medium-low heat with 3 tablespoons of olive oil and the paprika. Fry for 7 to 8 minutes, or until softened and golden.
- Pour in the wine and simmer for 1 to 2 minutes, then coarsely grate in the tomatoes, discarding the skins. Stir and cook for 5 minutes.
- Lower the heat and simmer for another 30 minutes, or until the mixture has thickened into a lovely sauce. Transfer to a bowl until ready to use.
- To make the paella, deseed and roughly chop the peppers. Cut the monkfish into large chunks, then slice the squid. Wash the mussels and clams thoroughly, discarding any that remain open when tapped.
- Heat half of the olive oil in a large paella pan over a medium heat and cook the peppers for 5 minutes, until softened. Transfer to a separate bowl with a slotted spoon. Set aside.
- Add the monkfish to the pan, season generously and cook for 10 minutes, or until tender. Set aside in a bowl.
- Throw the squid into the pan and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, then tip it into the bowl with the monkfish. Set aside until ready to use.
- Add the remaining oil to the pan, scatter in the rice in an even layer and sauté over a medium heat, stirring, for 5 minutes, or until the rice is golden.
- Stir the sofrito into the rice and cook for 2 minutes, then add the hot prawn stock and bring the mixture to the boil for another 2 minutes.
- Sprinkle the saffron and paprika over the rice, reduce the heat to low and simmer, without stirring, for 10 to 12 minutes, or until all the liquid has almost been absorbed.
- Arrange the peppers, monkfish, squid, prawns, mussels and clams evenly around the top of the paella. Cook for about 8 minutes, turning the prawns halfway through, or until the mussels and clams have opened (discard any that don't) and the prawns are cooked.
- Drizzle with a little extra virgin olive oil, cover the pan with tin foil and a few clean tea towels and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 946 calories, Fat 35.3 g fat, SaturatedFat 5.4 g saturated fat, Protein 40.5 g protein, Carbohydrate 111.5 g carbohydrate, Sugar 9.5 g sugar, Sodium 0.8 g salt, Fiber 4.8 g fibre
CHICKEN & CHORIZO PAELLA
I've made a few paellas in my time. The biggest one was for about 800 people in a village in Spain and it was hard work, but an incredible experience. The Spanish can be quite protective about what is and what isn't a paella, but at the same time, the spirit of their cooking has always been flexible to whatever meat, fish, seafood or game can be found. I've eaten and enjoyed many paellas, and I hope you like my humble, great-value expression of one.
Provided by Jamie Oliver
Categories Mains Save with Jamie Dinner Party Spanish Chicken Pork Seafood
Time 50m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Peel and finely slice the garlic, peel and roughly chop the onion and carrot. Finely chop the parsley stalks, then roughly chop the chorizo and chicken thighs.
- Put a lug of oil into a large lidded shallow casserole or paella pan on a medium heat, add the garlic, onion, carrot, parsley stalks, chorizo, chicken and paprika, and fry for around 5 minutes, stirring regularly.
- Deseed and chop the pepper, then add to the pan for a further 5 minutes.
- Stir through the tomato purée and crumble in the stock cube, then add the rice and stir for a couple of minutes so it starts to suck up all that lovely flavour.
- Pour in 750ml of boiling water and add a pinch of sea salt and black pepper. Pop the lid on and bring to the boil, then reduce to a simmer for 15 minutes, stirring regularly from the outside in and from the inside out, and adding a splash of water if needed.
- Stir in the peas and prawns, replace the lid, and cook for a further 5 minutes, or until hot through.
- Season to perfection, then chop the parsley leaves, scatter them over the paella, and serve with lemon wedges on the side for squeezing over.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 494 calories, Fat 12 g fat, SaturatedFat 3.3 g saturated fat, Protein 26.5 g protein, Carbohydrate 75.7 g carbohydrate, Sugar 8.5 g sugar, Sodium 1.6 g salt, Fiber 5.7 g fibre
THE ULTIMATE PAELLA
Try to get as much shellfish as you can to make it even more authentic. Chicken stock is great for the flavor. Add it gradually, as you would a risotto. You may need more or less depending on the rice, so just keep adding and use your judgement.
Provided by Jamie Oliver
Categories main-dish
Time 1h10m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F (190 degrees C/gas 5.) Remove the end bits of bone from the chicken legs, then cut them in half. Cut the chicken breasts in half. Coat all the chicken pieces with flour and salt and pepper. Put some oil in a hot large flat pan and brown the chicken legs and thighs, skin side down, turning them to brown them all over. Transfer them to a small roasting tray and continue to cook in the preheated oven for 30 minutes
- Add the chicken fillets to the pan and let them brown, then add the chorizo slices. Lay the slices of pancetta over the top. Once crisp, turn the heat down, add the onion and garlic to the pan, and allow to soften. Pour the infused saffron and some of the stock into the pan, and add the smoked paprika and rice, stirring continuously.
- Finely chop the parsley stalks and add to the pan. When the rice is almost cooked, add the peas, mussels, prawns and squid, adding more stock if necessary. Cover the pan with foil. When the chicken is cooked, add it to the pan, then add a large handful of chopped parsley leaves. Check the seasoning. Cut the lemon into wedges, place around the edge of the pan, and serve.
MY FAVOURITE PAELLA
This tasty paella has a bit of everything! Wonderfully comforting, flavoursome and colourful
Provided by Jamie Oliver
Categories Mains Jamie Does... Seafood Dinner Party Spanish Pork Chorizo
Time 1h10m
Yield 6 to 8
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Heat a large wide-based pan over a medium heat and add a lug of olive oil, the sliced chorizo and the pork belly. Fry for around 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. As soon as the chorizo starts taking on colour and the fat is beginning to cook out of it, add the chopped peppers, garlic, onion and parsley stalks along with a good pinch of salt and pepper and the saffron. Fry gently for another 10 minutes, or until the vegetables have begun to soften. Meanwhile pick through the shellfish and get rid of any clams or mussels that aren't tightly closed.
- Add the rice and jarred peppers and keep stirring for a few minutes until the rice is coated in all the lovely flavours, then pour in the tinned tomatoes and 800ml of stock, seasoning again with salt and pepper. Bring everything to the boil, then turn down to a medium to low heat and stir constantly for about 15 minutes. This combination of flavours will be absolutely beautiful, but you've got to help the dish along by doing your job and making sure each grain of rice gets the same amount of love. So every now and then, stir from the outside of the pan into the middle so you get a sort of pile of rice in the centre, making sure nothing is sticking to the bottom. Flatten the pile out with your spoon, then start the whole process again.
- After 15 minutes the rice should be cooked, but still have a bit of a bite, so add the mussels or clams and the prawns. You may want to add an extra splash of stock here if the rice looks a bit dry. Keep stirring, and as the clams and mussels start to open and the prawns begin to turn pink, add your squid and green beans and cook for a further 5 minutes or so. Discard any clams or mussels that don't open. Stir in the chopped parsley leaves and the juice from half your lemon wedges, and bring to the table with the remaining lemon wedges on the side and a crisp green salad.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 822 calories, Fat 49.8 g fat, SaturatedFat 16.3 g saturated fat, Protein 38.3 g protein, Carbohydrate 55.6 g carbohydrate, Sugar 9.8 g sugar, Sodium 0 g salt, Fiber 0 g fibre
PAELLA
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 190ºC/375ºF/gas 5.
- Quarter each piece of chicken, then season with sea salt and black pepper and dust with flour.
- Heat a splash of oil in a large, deep pan on a medium heat and fry the chicken until golden brown all over, then transfer to a baking tray and place in the oven for 20 minutes, or until cooked through.
- Meanwhile, slice the chorizo, peel and finely chop the onion and garlic, and pick and finely chop the parsley leaves, finely chopping the stalks.
- Put the pan back on the heat, add the sliced chorizo and pancetta or bacon and fry until browned and crispy. Add the onion, garlic and parsley stalks, then cook until soft.
- Meanwhile, gently heat the chicken stock and infuse half with the saffron.
- Add the smoked paprika, the rice and infused stock to the pan and leave to cook on a medium heat for around 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Meanwhile, halve the squid and lightly score all over with a regular eating knife (if using).
- When the time's up, add the remaining stock, peas, prawns, and the mussels and squid (if using). Place a lid on the pan and cook for 10 further minutes.
- Finally, add the cooked chicken, sprinkle over the chopped parsley and serve with wedges of lemon for squeezing over.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 858 calories, Fat 23.2 g fat, SaturatedFat 6.2 g saturated fat, Protein 76.5 g protein, Carbohydrate 85.7 g carbohydrate, Sugar 7.3 g sugar, Sodium 0 g salt, Fiber 0 g fibre
EASIEST EVER PAELLA
Think paella's too much of a challenge? Think again, this easy recipe makes it foolproof and is full of fantastic flavour
Provided by Good Food team
Categories Dinner, Main course, Supper
Time 30m
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Heat the oil in a deep frying pan, then soften the leek for 5 mins without browning. Add the chorizo and fry until it releases its oils. Stir in the turmeric and rice until coated by the oils, then pour in the stock. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 15 mins, stirring occasionally.
- Tip in the peas and cook for 5 mins, then stir in the seafood to heat through for a final 1-2 mins cooking or until rice is cooked. Check for seasoning and serve immediately with lemon wedges.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 518 calories, Fat 12 grams fat, SaturatedFat 0.4 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 75 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 5 grams sugar, Fiber 5 grams fiber, Protein 32 grams protein, Sodium 1.29 milligram of sodium
MY FAVOURITE PAELLA
As a young boy, the idea of meat and fish together in one dish never made sense to me. But once I tried paella the combination of textures and smoky flavours completely won me over. It's one harmonious, exciting, stomach-pleasing smasher of a dish. Some locals will say you don't add chorizo, but because I love it, I'm adding it here. You can pick up a proper paella pan at most department stores, but a large shallow pan about 12 inches/30 cm across will also work a treat. Without question this is one of Spain's hero dishes. Although incredibly flexible and delicious, it was never intended to be as visual and flamboyant a dish as it is. It was invented by farmers, grabbing whatever bits of meat, vegetable and fish they had available to them and using rice to bring it all together. Over time it's been refined and claimed by all sorts of people around Spain as their own. That's the great thing about paella, you can make it your own by taking the principle of it and adjusting it to embrace whatever ingredients are in season and around you.
Provided by Jamie Oliver
Time 1h20m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Heat a large wide-based pan over a medium heat and add a lug of olive oil, the sliced chorizo and the pork belly. Fry for around 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. As soon as the chorizo starts taking on colour and the fat is beginning to cook out of it, add the chopped green pepper, chopped red pepper, garlic, onion, and parsley stalks along with a good pinch of salt, pepper, and the saffron. Fry gently for another 10 minutes, or until the vegetables have begun to soften. Meanwhile, pick through the shellfish and get rid of any clams or mussels that aren't tightly closed.
- Add the rice and jarred peppers and keep stirring for a few minutes until the rice is coated in all the lovely flavours, then pour in the tinned tomatoes and 3 1/3 cups (27 ounces)/800 ml stock, seasoning again with salt and pepper. Bring everything to the boil, then turn down to a medium to low heat and stir constantly for about 15 minutes. This combination of flavours will be absolutely beautiful, but you've got to help the dish along by doing your job and making sure each grain of rice gets the same amount of love. So every now and then, stir from the outside of the pan into the middle so you get a sort of pile of rice in the centre, making sure nothing is sticking to the bottom. Flatten the pile out with your spoon, then start the whole process again.
- After 15 minutes, the rice should be cooked, but still have a bit of a bite, so add the mussels or clams and the prawns.
- Keep stirring, and as the clams and mussels start to open and the prawns begin to turn pink, add your squid and green beans and cook for a further 5 minutes or so.
- Discard any clams or mussels that don't open. Stir in the chopped parsley leaves and the juice from 1/2 the lemon wedges, and bring to the table with the remaining lemon wedges on the side.
Tips:
- Use a wide, shallow pan for even cooking.
- Toast the rice in the hot oil before adding the liquid. This will help it absorb the flavors and prevent it from sticking together.
- Add the liquid in batches, stirring constantly. This will help the rice cook evenly and prevent it from becoming mushy.
- Simmer the paella for at least 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed all of the liquid.
- Top the paella with your favorite seafood, vegetables, and herbs before serving.
Conclusion:
Paella is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a perfect meal for a party or a special occasion, but it is also easy enough to make for a weeknight dinner. With a little planning and preparation, you can create a delicious paella that will impress your family and friends.
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