Island Paradise Paella Recipes

SPANISH PAELLA

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.

HAWAIIAN SHRIMP AND CLAM PAELLA WITH ISLAND SPICES

Steps:

• Place peeled shrimp in a small bowl and coat with achiote paste; let marinate 20 minutes.
• Heat oil in a Dutch oven, over medium heat, then stir in onions; cook until translucent.
• Add in the chicken stock, cover, and bring to a boil.
• Stir in tomatoes and aji; add clams, cover, and cook until they open, about 7 minutes.
• Stir in the shrimp, cover, and cook through.
• Garnish with basil and cilantro; season with salt if needed.

ISLAND PARADISE PAELLA

Steps:

• 1. Scrub and debeard the mussels and clams, discarding any that don't close when tapped sharply. Set aside.
• 2. Heat 1/4 cup (2fl. oz) of the olive oil in a skillet. Add the pork, and brown all sides. Make sure that the juices from the pork chops are clear.
• 3. Mix in the garlic, onions, tomato, and the bell peppers, Stir constantly until cooked. Then set aside.
• 4. In another skillet, heat a further 1/4 cup (2 fl. oz) olive oil and cook the chicken until browned on all sides. Season with salt, pepper, paprika, rosemary, thyme, and cumin. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
• 5. In the same skillet, cook the lobster claws overt high heat for several minutes until its shell turns pink. Set the skillet aside.
• 6. Preheat the oven to 200 ºF. Heat 4 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet, and sauté the rice until it's translucent. Pour in the chicken broth, and combine well. Add the pork mixture, stirring constantly. Sprinkle in the saffron and continue to stir until well mixed.
• 7. Transfer the rice into a paella pan. Mix in the lobster claws, chicken, chorizo sausages, mussels, clams, shrimp, peas, and capers, combining well. Bake the paella, uncovered, and on the lowest oven shelf, for around 25 minutes, or until all the liquid has been absorbed.
• 8. Discard any mussels and clams that have failed to open. Serve the paella straight from the pan, garnished with lemon wedges