How do I cook authentic paella?

Bring the taste of Spain to your table with our 'Authentic Paella' recipe. Dive into a colorful medley of flavors and enjoy a fiesta of taste sensations.

You'll need

Items needed to answer the question, How do I cook authentic paella. Items include: Short-grain rice Chicken or vegetable broth Onion Garlic cloves Bell peppers Tomato Chicken Shrimp Green peas Saffron threads Paprika Olive oil Salt and pepper

Short-grain rice 2 cups
Chicken or vegetable broth 4 cups
Onion 1
Garlic cloves 3
Bell peppers 2
Tomato 1
Chicken 1/2 pound
Shrimp 1/2 pound
Green peas handful
Saffron threads pinch
Paprika 1 teaspoon
Olive oil drizzle
Salt and pepper to taste

Take note
Before we begin, make sure you have a sturdy pan large enough to accommodate all the ingredients. Also, be careful when handling hot surfaces and utensils to avoid any kitchen calamities!

1

Prepare the ingredients

Gather all the necessary ingredients for your paella adventure. You'll need 2 cups of short-grain rice, 4 cups of chicken or vegetable broth, 1 onion (diced), 3 cloves of garlic (minced), 2 bell peppers (sliced), 1 tomato (diced), 1/2 pound of chicken (cut into small pieces), 1/2 pound of shrimp (peeled and deveined), a handful of green peas, a pinch of saffron threads, 1 teaspoon of paprika, a drizzle of olive oil, and some salt and pepper to taste.

2

Sauté the ingredients

Heat some olive oil in your trusty paella pan over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, and sauté until they turn golden and fill your kitchen with heavenly aromas. Toss in the sliced bell peppers and diced tomato, and cook them until they soften and release their vibrant colors.

3

Add the protein

Now it's time to add the chicken and shrimp to the pan. Season them with a sprinkle of salt, pepper, and paprika. Cook the chicken until it's no longer pink and the shrimp turn perfectly pink and opaque. Keep an eye on them, amigo! We don't want overcooked or rubbery seafood on our paella party.

4

Rice, rice, baby

Sprinkle the short-grain rice over the sautéed ingredients in the pan. Give it a gentle stir to coat the rice evenly with those savory flavors. Allow the rice to slightly toast for a minute or two, just until it starts to smell nutty and heavenly.

5

Pour the broth and add the magic

Time to make it saucy! Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth, depending on your preferences. Sprinkle the saffron threads, green peas, and a pinch more paprika on top. Give it a quick stir and crank up the heat to high. Let the mixture come to a bubble, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pan.

6

Simmer and savor

It's the moment of truth, my friend. Let the paella simmer gently for about 20 minutes, or until the rice absorbs the flavorful broth and becomes tender. Avoid stirring the paella during this time to achieve that perfect crust on the bottom, called 'socarrat'. Once the rice is cooked, turn off the heat and let it rest for a few minutes before fluffing it up with a fork.

7

Serve and feast

¡Vamos a comer! Spoon generous portions of your authentic paella onto plates, making sure to include some of that crispy socarrat. Garnish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley for that final touch of magic. Gather your loved ones, raise a glass of sangria, and dive into a fiesta of flavors together!