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Spanish Seafood Paella [Video]

This dish is a mixture of rice, veggies, infused with Saffron, and different spices. Packed with a combination of seafood: shrimp, mussels, calamari, lobster’s tail, fish fillet, and clams.
Prep Time25 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time55 minutes
Servings: 6
Author: Heidi - The Mediterranean Chick

Ingredients

Paella

  • 2½ cup Short-grain rice or any Paella Rice or risotto rice
  • 3 cup Vegetable stock or chicken stock
  • 2 cup Water
  • ½ cup Colored Peppers
  • ½ cup Yellow onion finely chopped
  • 5 cloves Garlic finely chopped
  • ½ cup Diced Tomatoes
  • ¼ cup Frozen peas & carrots
  • ¼ cup leeks sliced thin
  • ¼ cup celery small cubes
  • 3 Tablespoon Olive oil
  • ¼ cup Parsley for Garnish

Spices

  • 1 tablespoon Saffron Threads
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon Onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon Turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon Coriander
  • 1 teaspoon Paprika
  • 2 Bay leaves
  • ½ teaspoon Black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Cumin
  • ½ teaspoon Salt or to taste

Seafood

  • ½ cup Peeled shrimp
  • 5 large Shrimps heads on
  • ½ cup Calamari cut into rings
  • ½ cup Mussels rinsed & scrubbed
  • ½ cup Clams rinsed & scrubbed
  • 1 Lobster tail cut in half vertically
  • ½ cup Fillet fish cubes (I used Swai; in the US, you can substitute with tilapia, haddock or flounder)

Instructions

Step 1” Saffron”

  • In a small pan, bring vegetable stock to boil then add the “Saffron”.
  • Wait a few minutes then remove from heat and step aside.

Step 2” Paella”

  • In a Paella pan “or any similar skillet” heat oil over medium heat.
  • Sauté onions for 2 minutes then add the celery, leeks, colored peppers & garlic. Stirring regularly.
  • Add the rest of the spices: Garlic powder, Onion powder, Turmeric, Coriander, Paprika, Bay leaves, Black pepper, cumin &Turmeric. Stir regularly
  • Add the peas & carrots, then add the calamari, Stir regularly for 3 minutes
  • Add rice then diced tomatoes. Stir for 2 minutes
  • Add the Mixture of vegetable stock & Saffron, from Step 1, then the water
  • Now, arrange the rest of the seafood start by adding the peeled shrimp, fish fillet, shrimp heads-on, lobster’s tail, mussels & clams.
  • Bring to boil then lower the heat a bit and cover. Cook for 15 minutes, until the liquid, is fully absorbed or until its fully cooked
  • Garnish with parsley, serve with lemon wedges on the side. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

  • You can add any seafood you like. You can use more than 2 or even just one. We are big on seafood that’s why I added different kinds of seafood.
  • Tip: try adding 3 or 4 shrimps heads-on if available, I noticed that it makes a big difference in the richness of the flavor.
  • Fish: try to add a thick kind of fillet fish not thin, I used Swai.  Tilapia is a good option too.
  • This Paella is a one-pot meal so it is a PERFECT party dish!