Paella Recipe – Spanish Rice Dish from Valencia

Paella is a traditional Valencian rice dish, although you will find Paella served all over Spain, from Barcelona to Seville to A Coruna, and naturally, given to variations according to region and cook!

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Azlin Bloor holding paella, sea in the background
Me, after teaching a paella class in Spain

Authentic Paella Recipe

I’ve been to Spain many a time, more often than not, off the beaten track, away from the tourist spots. A holiday to me, is about culture and food, not necessarily in that order. I have had paella in more Spanish towns than I can remember, even a very spicy one close to the Morrocan border!

While they differed in certain bits of their composition, the one thing they all had in common was the method of cooking and I think that’s what makes the dish what it is.

However, Valencians will tell you that only their recipe is a paella. Everything else is just arroz!

What does Paella Mean?

The word paella is a Catalan word that comes from the Old French word paelle for pan, and which in turn comes from the Latin word patella, also meaning pan.

According to Wiki: (I suggest you read this page, very interesting reading)

Valencians use the word paella for all pans, including the specialized shallow pan used for cooking paellas. However, in most other parts of Spain and throughout Latin America, the term paellera is more commonly used for this pan, though both terms are correct, as stated by the Royal Spanish Academy, the body responsible for regulating the Spanish language in Spain.[13][14] Paelleras are traditionally round, shallow and made of polished steel with two handles.

So now that we know about the pans, let’s move on to the recipe!

paella
A medley of flavours!

To me, paella is a very adaptable and very forgiving recipe; use the right rice, paprika, soffrito and saffron and you’ve got the perfect base for your creativity!

How to Cook Paella at Home

Paella Rice

Use the right rice – Spanish paella rice is short, round and absorbs liquid very well while still maintaining its integrity (shape and texture). The most common paella rice is Bomba but there are also Bahia, Balilla, Senia, and Calasparra.

Paella Pan

We all know that paella is cooked in a paella (pan), see above. The idea behind the shape of the pan and its width is that as much rice hits the bottom of the pan as possible to get maximum, almost caramelised flavour and to ensure that the rice cooks in an even thin layer.

If you cannot get a paella pan, go for a large frying pan that’s about 7.5cm (3″) deep. Just remember, the bigger the pan, the larger your flame source has to be too!

Stock for Paella

Homemade is best we all know, but I understand that that’s not always viable, so the alternative is a good shop bought one, which these days, is very, very easy to find. My favourite is chicken stock, even if I’m making a seafood paella, as I find seafood stock overpowering, but that’s a matter of choice. The stock is yet another layer of flavour to the whole dish, so is very, very important, no nasty added stuff, please!

LinsFood’s Paella Recipe

I make paella very, very often as the whole family loves it, so much so, it’s become one of those recipes that we just “throw things” into! You know, whatever happens to be at hand, so sometimes it’s just chicken, sometimes it’s chicken and sausages, or seafood and sausages, you get the idea!

Did I say an adaptable recipe? That’s right, make it vegetarian if you want but here’s a tip: use pre roasted veggies for added depth of flavour. You know those Italian antipasti you get at delicatessens? Olives, peppers, artichokes? They’re great in a vegetarian paella!

That’s it, shall we get our aprons on?

paella

Update, 18th October 2015

We are, once again, in Spain, in part 2 of our 6-8 month travel adventure. Part 1 was a 2-month, 5-city trip that included my niece’s wedding in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Go on over to the Travel page to catch up on that, if you fancy, I’ve still to do Bangkok, Singapore and Ho Chi Minh City.

At the moment, we are living in a little town called Venta Lanuza between Alicante and Valencia, almost in the middle of nowhere! I’ll write about that soon too but this update was just to mention that these are all new photos, and all from Spain. I’m always amazed at how much cheaper and tastier the seafood is here!

Enjoy the recipe!

More Spanish Recipes on LinsFood

Fideua – Spanish Noodle Recipe
Fideua is a Spanish noodle dish, a cousin of the Paella. How do you cook Fideua? Read here and find out!
Get the Recipe!
Gambas Pil Pil, a favourite Spanish Tapa of Spicy Prawns with Garlic
Gambas al Pil Pil is a super quick and easy Spanish tapa that can be made in 10 minutes at home.
Get the Recipe!
Spanish Tortilla (an easy storecupboard recipe)
Easy recipe for the world famous Spanish recipe made with eggs, onions and potatoes.
Get the Recipe!
Spanish Tortilla

If you like the recipe and article, don’t forget to leave me a comment and that all important, 5-star rating! Thank you!

And if you make the recipe, share it on any platform and tag me @azlinbloor, and hashtag it #linsfood.

Lin xx

paella

Paella Recipe – Spanish Rice Dish from Valencia

Paella recipe, made the Valencian way, with chorizo, chicken and seafood, flavoured with smoked paprika and saffron.
5 from 23 votes
Print Pin Add to Collection
Course: Rice Dishes
Cuisine: Spanish
Keyword: rice, spanish food
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 8 (6-8)
Calories: 598kcal
Author: Azlin Bloor

Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 500 g paella rice
  • 3 cloves garlic finely chopped
  • 1 medium onion finely chopped
  • 2 tomatoes chopped small
  • 1 tsp sweet smoked paprika
  • 1 pinch saffron
  • l hot chicken stock
  • 12 green beans chopped inch long
  • 12 large prawns in shell
  • 500 g seafood (mix of salmon, mussels, clams)
  • 500 g chicken thighs are best, bite size pieces
  • 3 chorizos or sausages of your choice sliced
  • handful chopped flat parsley
  • lemons cut in wedges

Instructions

  • Sprinkle the saffron into the chicken stock and leave the stock to simmer.
  • Heat your pan over medium high heat and brown the chicken pieces for about 5 minutes.
  • Add the onions, garlic and tomatoes and sauté until soft.
  • Now add the rice and give it a good stir before adding 1.5l of the stock and paprika.
  • Bring to boil and cook on a high simmer for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, at which point the rice will be nearly cooked.
  • Add 500ml more of the stock, the vegetables and seafood, giving it a good stir.
  • Keep cooking for another 10 minutes or so, adding more stock if needed, until the rice is fully cooked as is all the seafood.
  • Squeeze some lemon juice and add some freshly ground black pepper.
  • Scatter the parsley all over, arrange the seafood on the rice and serve with lemon wedges.

Nutrition

Calories: 598kcal | Carbohydrates: 65g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 121mg | Sodium: 1146mg | Potassium: 656mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 700IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 67mg | Iron: 3mg
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21 thoughts on “Paella Recipe – Spanish Rice Dish from Valencia”

  1. paella makes my little heart happy. you’ve done it justice, friend.

    the only thing i’d recommend is we get non-farmed prawns. farmed prawns are friggin terrifying (have you read taras grescoe’s “Bottomfeeder”?)… but fresh, wild ones = heaven! 🙂

  2. Get outta here! I was JUST thinking about getting some Paella tomorrow! This looks so incredible, I will be thinking of it as I chomp down tomorrow!!!

  3. Nice LIn though I have to admit I have never made the same at home. Looking at the pics you have shared, its triggering me to do so and yes, one whole complete meal, fantastic flavours and beautiful ingredients inside.

  4. I love paella but never made it at home…yours sure look delicious, so rich in flavors…yum!
    Hope you are enjoying your week 🙂

  5. Paella is a very rich in flavors dish that combines all sorts of controversial ingredients. that’s why it is so tasty! Beautiful choice!

  6. I first tried this dish when we moved to Fl and I loved it. I have never tried cooking this but would love too. It looks amazingly delicious!

  7. Hi there Would you like to link this in to Food on Friday: Chicken and/or Fish and Seafood I am sure lots of people would be interested in it. Have a nice day.

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