Best 9 Paella Baja Style Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

Paella is a traditional Spanish dish that is typically made with rice, seafood, and vegetables. However, there are many different variations of paella, including the popular "paella baja style." This regional variation of paella originated in the Baja California region of Mexico and is known for its unique flavors and ingredients. The main difference between paella baja style and other types of paella is the use of shrimp, which is a staple ingredient in Baja California cuisine. In this article, we will explore the best recipe for cooking paella baja style, providing step-by-step instructions and highlighting the key ingredients that make this dish so special.

Let's cook with our recipes!

EASY PAELLA



Easy Paella image

An easy to make paella using chorizo, chicken, and shrimp.

Provided by mls

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Spanish

Time 1h

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 19

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon paprika
2 teaspoons dried oregano
salt and black pepper to taste
2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into 2 inch pieces
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
3 cloves garlic, crushed
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 cups uncooked short-grain white rice
1 pinch saffron threads
1 bay leaf
½ bunch Italian flat leaf parsley, chopped
1 quart chicken stock
2 lemons, zested
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 Spanish onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, coarsely chopped
1 pound chorizo sausage, casings removed and crumbled
1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined

Steps:

  • In a medium bowl, mix together 2 tablespoons olive oil, paprika, oregano, and salt and pepper. Stir in chicken pieces to coat. Cover, and refrigerate.
  • Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet or paella pan over medium heat. Stir in garlic, red pepper flakes, and rice. Cook, stirring, to coat rice with oil, about 3 minutes. Stir in saffron threads, bay leaf, parsley, chicken stock, and lemon zest. Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce heat to medium low. Simmer 20 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a separate skillet over medium heat. Stir in marinated chicken and onion; cook 5 minutes. Stir in bell pepper and sausage; cook 5 minutes. Stir in shrimp; cook, turning the shrimp, until both sides are pink.
  • Spread rice mixture onto a serving tray. Top with meat and seafood mixture.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 736.2 calories, Carbohydrate 45.7 g, Cholesterol 202.5 mg, Fat 35.1 g, Fiber 2.9 g, Protein 55.7 g, SaturatedFat 10.3 g, Sodium 1204.2 mg, Sugar 1.9 g

SPANISH PAELLA



Spanish Paella image

You can make a delicious, authentic Paella--the most popular dish of Spain--in your own kitchen with simple ingredients like rice, saffron, vegetables, chicken, and seafood.

Provided by Lauren Allen

Categories     Main Course

Time 1h

Number Of Ingredients 19

1/4 cup Extra virgin olive Oil ((Spanish EVOO if you have it))
1 Onion (, diced)
1 bell pepper (, diced (I like to use ½ red and ½ green))
4 cloves Garlic
3 roma tomatoes (, very finely diced (or 8 oz. tomato sauce))
Bay leaf
1 teaspoon paprika (, sweet or smoked)
1 pinch saffron threads*
Salt and pepper
¼ cup white wine
4 boneless , skinless chicken thighs (, cut into pieces*)
¼ cup fresh chopped parsley (chopped, divided)
2 cups Spanish Rice*
5 cups Chicken Broth*
1/2 cup frozen peas
½ lb Jumbo Shrimp or prawns (, about 12 - peeled, tail on)
1/2 lb Mussels ((about 10-12), cleaned properly (beards off))
8 oz calamari rings
Lemons (, for garnish)

Steps:

  • *Please note, this is my version of Paella Mixta I learned to make while living in Madrid, Spain. I've simplified the recipe as best I could for anyone to be able to make without a special pan or equipment. There are MANY variations to Paella so please be respectful that my authentic recipe may be different from yours!
  • Add olive oil to a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, bell peppers and garlic and cook until onion is translucent. Add chopped tomato, bay leaf, paprika, saffron salt and pepper. Stir and cook for 5 minutes. Add white wine and cook for 10 minutes. Taste and add salt if needed.
  • Add chicken pieces, 2 tablespoons chopped parsley and rice to the pot. Cook for 1 minute.
  • Pour the broth slowly all around the pan and jiggle the pan to get the rice into an even layer. (Do not stir the mixture going forward!).
  • Bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low. Give the pan a gentle shake back and forth just once or twice during cooking. (We don't ever stir the rice, so that a crispy crust forms at the bottom, called a socarrat).
  • Cook for about 15-18 minutes (uncovered), then nestle the shrimp, mussels and calamari into the mixture, sprinkle peas on top and continue to cook (without stirring) for about 5 more minutes. Watch for most of the liquid to be absorbed and the rice at the top nearly tender. (If for some reason your rice is still not cooked, add ¼ cup more water or broth and continue cooking).
  • Remove pan from heat and cover pan with a lid or tinfoil. Place a kitchen towel over the lid and allow to rest for 10 minutes.
  • Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon slices. Serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 535 kcal, Carbohydrate 59 g, Protein 37 g, Fat 15 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, Cholesterol 260 mg, Sodium 1159 mg, Fiber 3 g, Sugar 3 g, ServingSize 1 serving

CUBAN-STYLE PAELLA: PAELLA CUBANA



Cuban-style Paella: Paella Cubana image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h50m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 20

1/2 cup olive oil, plus 2 tablespoons for sauteing seafood
1 cup diced ham
1 cup chorizo sausage or pepperoni, sliced into 1/2-inch pieces (recommended: Spanish sausage)
1 large onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
5 garlic cloves, minced
One 3-pound chicken, cut into 6 to 8 pieces
3 cups Valencia rice
4 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup red wine
1 can mussels
2 teaspoons salt
Bijol powder, a dash
1 pound medium raw shrimp, peeled and de-veined
1/2 pound scallops
Meat from 5 lobster tails, reserve shells for garnish
1 cup frozen green peas
1/4 cup minced parsley leaves
1 red bell pepper, sliced for garnish
1 cup steamed mussels in their shells, for garnish

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Heat olive oil in a large pan. Saute the ham and chorizo sausage. Remove from pan and reserve.*
  • Add onions, red pepper, and garlic to pan and saute until wilted but not overcooked.
  • Add chicken pieces and saute for about 15 minutes until brown, but not fully cooked. Remove and reserve.
  • In a large pot combine the rice, broth, wine, and mussels. Add salt for flavor and Bijol for color. Stir. Turn up heat, bring to boil and cover. Add chicken, ham and chorizo. Cover and simmer on the stove for 20 to 30 minutes, until the rice is cooked and fluffy. (You may have to add a little more chicken broth if the mixture gets too dry).
  • Saute shrimp, clams, and lobster tails separately in the oil. Remove and keep covered and warm.**
  • At the last minute, fold the seafood into the rice mixture. Transfer to a flat paella pan suitable for serving. Top with peas and red peppers. Place in oven for about 5 minutes to heat through. Take care not to overcook! Serve garnished with mussels, parsley and lobster shells.

PAELLA MASTER RECIPE



Paella Master Recipe image

The technique to paella is pretty straightforward: Unlike with risotto, paella is hardly stirred or not at all. And equally unlike with risotto (but very much as with Persian tahdig), you want the bottom to brown if at all possible. This can be a matter of chance. But the likelihood increases if you keep the heat relatively high, turning it down only when you smell a little scorching. (That won't ruin the dish as long as you catch it in time.) That browned bottom is called socarrat, and should you achieve it, no one will say you've made arroz con cosas.

Provided by Mark Bittman

Categories     dinner, main course

Time 50m

Number Of Ingredients 10

3 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 pound meat, like chicken thighs, chorizo, pork, etc. (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste
1 onion, chopped
1 bell pepper, minced
2 cups rice
1 pinch saffron
3 1/2 cups liquid (chicken, lobster or vegetable stock; water; wine, etc., or a combination)
1/2 pound seafood, like shrimp, mussels, squid, etc. (optional)
1/2 pound vegetables, like olives, tomatoes, snow peas, mushrooms

Steps:

  • Put 3 tablespoons olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, add about 1/2 pound of meat (or a combination of meats), sprinkle with salt and pepper and cook until nicely browned. Add one chopped onion and some minced bell pepper at the same time if you like and cook until soft. (If you want a meatless paella, skip right to the onion.)
  • Add 2 cups rice and (if you have it) a pinch of saffron and cook, stirring, until shiny. Add 3 1/2 cups of your liquid of choice, heated, and stir until just combined, then stir in seafood (or lay it on top of the rice). Again, skip the seafood if you want vegetarian paella.
  • Cook over medium-high heat, undisturbed. If the pan is too big for your burner, move it around a little; but after that initial stirring, leave it alone. When the mixture starts to dry, begin tasting the rice; if the liquid amount seems O.K., keep going. If the rice seems quite tough, add another 1/2 cup or so of liquid. And if you can smell the bottom starting to burn, lower the heat a bit. About halfway through the cooking (about 10 minutes), add any vegetables, adjust seasonings and stir gently, just once.
  • The rice is done when tender and still a bit moist; if the mixture has stuck to the bottom of the pan, congratulations: you have socarrat, a characteristic of good paella. This should be served in the pan, in the middle of the table, and dinner guests - up to six - should fight over it.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 325, UnsaturatedFat 4 grams, Carbohydrate 45 grams, Fat 6 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 5 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 504 milligrams, Sugar 3 grams

AUTHENTIC PAELLA VALENCIANA



Authentic Paella Valenciana image

I lived in Spain for two years where I was taught the art of making the Paella which originated in Valencia. I haven't found anything on here which is even close to authentic, so I thought I would add this recipe for those who would like to try a taste of Spain. First and foremost you will need a special paella pan called a paellera or just a paella. Trust me after you taste this you'll be glad you bought the special pan.

Provided by Jason Nelson

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Spanish

Time 2h

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 tablespoon olive oil
½ (4 pound) whole chicken, cut into 6 pieces
½ (2 pound) rabbit, cleaned and cut into pieces
1 head garlic, cloves separated and peeled
1 tomato, finely chopped
1 (15.5 ounce) can butter beans
½ (10 ounce) package frozen green peas
½ (10 ounce) package frozen green beans
salt to taste
1 teaspoon mild paprika, or to taste
1 pinch saffron threads
1 pinch dried thyme to taste
1 pinch dried rosemary to taste
4 cups uncooked white rice, or as needed

Steps:

  • Heat a paella pan over medium-high heat, and coat with olive oil. Add the chicken, rabbit and garlic; cook and stir until nicely browned. Move the browned meat to the sides of the pan, and add the tomato, butter beans, peas, and green beans. Season with paprika, and mix well.
  • Fill the paella pan almost to the top with water, measuring the water as you put it in. This is to help you to determine how much rice to add, as paella pans come in different sizes. Bring to a boil. Simmer for about 1 hour to make a nice broth.
  • Season with a generous amount of salt, and just enough saffron to make a nice yellow color. Season with thyme and rosemary if desired. The goal is to make a rich tasting broth that will soak into the rice to make it delicious. Stir in half as much rice as the amount of water in the pan. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer until all of the liquid has been absorbed, about 20 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 783.4 calories, Carbohydrate 87.3 g, Cholesterol 82.1 mg, Fat 31.3 g, Fiber 4.5 g, Protein 34.2 g, SaturatedFat 8.6 g, Sodium 327.8 mg, Sugar 2.1 g

SPANISH-STYLE PAELLA



Spanish-Style Paella image

If you enjoy cooking ethnic foods, this Spanish paella recipe will be a favorite. It's brimming with generous chunks of sausage, shrimp and veggies.-Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 45m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 17

1/2 pound Spanish chorizo links, sliced
1/2 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
1 cup uncooked short grain rice
1 cup chopped onion
1-1/2 cups chicken broth
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) stewed tomatoes, undrained
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
10 strands saffron, crushed or 1/8 teaspoon ground saffron
1/2 pound uncooked medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/2 cup sweet red pepper strips
1/2 cup green pepper strips
1/2 cup frozen peas
Optional: Minced fresh parsley and lemon wedges

Steps:

  • In a large saucepan or skillet over medium-high heat, cook sausage and chicken in oil for 5 minutes or until sausage is lightly browned and chicken is no longer pink, stirring frequently. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain if necessary. , Stir in rice and onion. Cook until onion is tender and rice is lightly browned, stirring frequently. Add the broth, tomatoes, paprika, cayenne, salt and saffron. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cover and cook for 10 minutes. , Stir in the shrimp, peppers and peas. Cover and cook 10 minutes longer or until rice is tender, shrimp turn pink and liquid is absorbed. Top with fresh parsley and lemon wedges, if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 237 calories, Fat 7g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 62mg cholesterol, Sodium 543mg sodium, Carbohydrate 27g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 16g protein.

MEXICAN PAELLA



Mexican Paella image

This South-of-the-border paella includes Mexican chorizo, a spicy, freshly ground pork sausage that's not to be confused with its dry-cured Spanish cousin. The dinner recipe comes from chef Rick Bayless.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Meat & Poultry     Chicken     Chicken Thighs

Number Of Ingredients 15

3 1/4 cups store-bought low-sodium chicken broth
Coarse salt
1 large poblano pepper
1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes in their juices, preferably fire-roasted
1/4 cup olive oil
6 chicken thighs
1/2 medium onion, chopped
1/2 cup (4 ounces) Mexican chorizo sausage, casings removed
3 cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped
2 cups medium-grain rice
1/2 pound medium-large shrimp, peeled, tail-on, if desired, and deveined
1 pound mussels, scrubbed
1 cup frozen peas
2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
2 tablespoons silver tequila (optional)

Steps:

  • Place chicken broth and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt in a medium saucepan. Cover and heat over low heat.
  • Over a low gas flame or under the broiler, roast poblano pepper, turning frequently, until charred, about 5 minutes over flame or 10 minutes under broiler. Remove from heat and cover with a clean kitchen towel until cool enough to handle. Rub off charred skin using a paper towel; remove stem and seeds. Rinse pepper and pat dry; cut into 1/2-inch strips; set aside.
  • Place tomatoes and their juices in the jar of a blender. Blend until smooth; set aside.
  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Heat olive oil in a 12-inch paella pan over medium-high heat. Season skin side of chicken thighs with salt and place skin-side down in pan; season with salt. Cook until skin is deep golden, about 10 minutes. Turn and cook until chicken is browned and juices run clear, about 10 minutes more. Transfer chicken to a large rimmed baking sheet and set aside.
  • Reduce heat to medium and add onion and chorizo. Cook, stirring, until chorizo is cooked through and onion begins to brown, about 10 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add reserved poblano pepper and tomato puree. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture is thickened and oil begins to separate from mixture, about 5 minutes.
  • Add rice to pan and cook, stirring, until rice turns milky white in color, 4 to 5 minutes. Add heated chicken broth and stir to combine. Cook, without stirring, until rice has absorbed most of the liquid and is almost cooked through, about 12 minutes.
  • Return chicken to pan and nestle into the center of the rice. Arrange shrimp in a ring around the chicken and the mussels in the rice at the edge of the pan. Cover the pan with a piece of parchment paper-lined aluminum foil; transfer to oven and bake for 15 minutes.
  • Remove paella from oven and stir in peas, parsley, and tequila, if desired. Using a large serving spoon, gently fluff mussels and shrimp into rice mixture. Re-cover and let stand for 10 minutes until rice and shellfish are cooked through. Serve immediately.

AUTHENTIC SPANISH PAELLA



Authentic Spanish Paella image

This is one of my all time favorite dishes. I've been experimenting for a year now and I think I've finally got it perfect. This recipe is for an 18" pallera cooked on an open flame (a weber grill works perfectly). For a smaller pan and stovetop cooking half the recipe. Note: Some purists say an 'authentic' paella doesn't mix meat and seafood. I see it as a matter of taste, and most of the paella I've had from various regions throughout Spain has been mixed. I leave the arguments to the old men in Valencia.

Provided by parisucks

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 1h

Yield 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 16

3 cups bomba or calasparra rice (arborio risotto works as a substitute)
8 cups chicken stock
1 large onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 large bell pepper, diced
10 -15 flat green beans
4 plum tomatoes, diced
0.5 (4 ounce) can tomato paste
15 large shrimp (feel free to add clams, calamari, prawns or mussels)
2 -3 lbs rabbit
4 links chorizo sausages, frito sliced into 1 inch pieces
1/2 cup fresh parsley
2 -3 tablespoons fresh thyme
1/2 tablespoon paprika
1 pinch saffron
3 lemons, quartered

Steps:

  • It's best to have all of your ingredients prepared before you start cooking.
  • Prepare the rabbit by separating the legs, cutting remaining meat into small slices and lightly salting. (In my area rabbit is seasonal. During the summer and fall I substitute with chicken legs).
  • I peel my shrimp, leaving only the tail and then salt them. In Spain they tend to leave the shrimp unshelled.
  • I always try to make my chicken stock from scratch (time permitting), adding a bit of rosemary, a tiny pinch of saffron and a bit of thyme. If you're going to use bouillon, I'd recommend at least heating it up with these herbs and then straining before you start.
  • Keep your stock hot but not boiling as you cook.
  • Coat the bottom of your pallera/pan with olive oil.
  • Brown your chorizo over high heat for 1-2 minutes. Do not fully cook, just get the outside well browned. Set aside. This should add a nice red color and a hell of a flavor to your oil.
  • Brown the Rabbit for 2-3 minutes. It should not be fully cooked. Set aside.
  • Brown garlic, onion and bell pepper until they're softened, adding plum tomatoes shortly before the mixture is finished.
  • Push the vegetables to one side of the pan and on the other add the half can of tomato paste. Caramelize it, flipping it and spreading it until it begins to loosen (1-2 min over hight heat).
  • Mix all of the vegetables and meats together with the caramelized tomato paste also adding the paprika, parsley and thyme.
  • Add rice, mixing together and stirring as the rice browns (1-1 1/2) minutes. As the rice browns mix in the saffron. Make sure to break it between your fingers and stir it in to release all those tasty oils.
  • When the rice is slightly translucent add enough chicken stock to cover the whole mixture. If it's been kept warm, it will begin to boil almost immediately. Lower to a medium heat but keep it at a steady boil.
  • This is where paella is made and broken. I stir a few times in the first 5-10 minutes, adding broth as necessary to keep the rice fully covered. After this you must let the paella SIT! Let it cook another 10-20 minutes (I find that this step takes longer on a stovetop), adding broth bit by bit to keep the rice submerged until the rice on the top is al dente. Don't worry about rice burning to the bottom, this part (which actually has a name which escapes me at the moment, it's something like socarrat) is a tasty delicacy.
  • Once you've stirred the paella for the last time and are letting cook, when you have about 8 minutes left to cook lay shrimp on top, turning over after 2-4 minutes to cook other side.
  • When the rice on top is still quite al dente, take paella off of heat and cover. You must let it sit for 15-20 minutes. I've taken the lid off prematurely and ended up with a crunchy mess. Patience is the key.
  • Once you're sure it's ready uncover, garnish with lemon wedges and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 913, Fat 28.7, SaturatedFat 9.6, Cholesterol 149.9, Sodium 1183.3, Carbohydrate 101.2, Fiber 4.7, Sugar 10.2, Protein 58.6

PAELLA



Paella image

Paella is a Spanish dish traditionally made with rice, saffron, a variety of meat and shellfish, garlic, onions, peas, tomatoes and other vegetables. It's named for the wide, shallow pan it's cooked in, but I cook mine on the stovetop with delicious results.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 45m

Yield 12 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 20

4 cups chicken broth
2-1/2 cups uncooked long grain rice
1 cup chopped onion
4 garlic cloves, minced, divided
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 bay leaf
1 large green pepper, julienned
3 green onions, sliced
1 teaspoon minced fresh parsley
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
2 medium tomatoes, chopped
2 cups frozen peas
1/2 pound uncooked medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced

Steps:

  • In a saucepan, combine the broth, rice, onion, half of the garlic, salt, turmeric, pepper and bay leaf; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until rice is tender. , Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute the green pepper, onions, parsley, thyme, hot pepper sauce and remaining garlic in oil for 2 minutes. Add mushrooms. Cook until green pepper is crisp-tender. Add tomato and peas; heat through. , Discard bay leaf; add rice mixture to vegetable mixture and keep warm. In a nonstick skillet, cook and stir shrimp in lemon juice for 2 minutes. Add chicken; cook until chicken is no longer pink and shrimp has turned pink, about 3-5 minutes. Add to rice mixture; toss.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 258 calories, Fat 4g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 49mg cholesterol, Sodium 591mg sodium, Carbohydrate 39g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 16g protein.

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients to ensure the best flavor. Fresh seafood, vegetables, and spices are essential.
  • Don't overcrowd the pan. The rice needs to have enough space to cook evenly.
  • Cook the rice over medium heat. This will help prevent it from burning.
  • Add the liquid slowly and stir constantly. This will help the rice absorb the liquid evenly.
  • Let the paella rest for a few minutes before serving. This will help the flavors meld together.

Conclusion:

Paella is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With its colorful ingredients and flavorful broth, it's sure to be a hit at your next party or gathering. So next time you're looking for a new recipe to try, give paella a try. You won't be disappointed!

Related Topics