Zesty Veggie Paella Recipes

VEGETABLE PAELLA

Steps:

• Arrange your oven racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven, making sure that you have ample space between the two racks for your Dutch oven. You're going to need a large Dutch oven (preferably 6 quarts/11-to-12" in diameter or bigger, although I got by with my 5.5-quart Le Creuset) or a large skillet with a snug-fitting lid (both must be oven-safe!).
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in your Dutch oven or skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add the onion and a pinch of salt. Cook until the onions are tender and translucent, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in the garlic and paprika and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the tomatoes and cook until the mixture begins to darken and thicken slightly, about 2 minutes Stir in the rice and cook until the grains are well coated with tomato mixture, about 1 minute. Stir in the chickpeas, broth, wine, saffron (if using) and 1 teaspoon salt.
• Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally. Cover the pot and transfer it to the lower rack in the oven. Bake, undisturbed, until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender, 50 to 55 minutes.
• Meanwhile, line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup. On the baking sheet, combine the artichoke, peppers, chopped olives, 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, and about 10 twists of freshly ground black pepper. Toss to combine, then spread the contents evenly across the pan.
• Roast the vegetables on the upper rack until the artichokes and peppers are tender and browned around the edges, about 40 to 45 minutes. Remove from the oven and let the vegetables cool for a few minutes. Add 1/4 cup parsley to the pan and the lemon juice, and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Set aside.
• For optional socarrat (crispy bottom-beware that you might have to scrub burnt bits from your pot later if you do this): Uncover the pot of baked rice, transfer it to the stovetop and cook over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes, rotating the pot as needed, until the bottom layer of rice is well browned and crisp.
• Socarrat or not, sprinkle the peas and roasted vegetables over the baked rice, cover, and let the paella sit for 5 minutes. Garnish with a sprinkle of chopped parsley (about 1 tablespoon) and serve in individual bowls, with lemon wedges on the side.

VEGETARIAN AND VEGAN SPANISH PAELLA

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• In a medium-sized saucepan, bring the 2 cups of water to a rolling boil and add the rice.
• Give it a quick stir, then cover and turn off the heat. Allow the rice to stand for 20 minutes.
• Then carefully drain the excess water, as it will still be hot.
• While the rice is soaking in the hot water, heat the olive oil in the largest frying pan you have (or a paella pan, if you have one) over medium heat and sauté the onion and garlic until the onion is transparent, about 4 or 5 minutes.
• Add the red and green bell peppers and the tomato and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, over medium heat for another 3 minutes.
• Next, add the soaked rice and the vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer.
• Add the salt, paprika, and turmeric. Cover and allow to simmer until the rice is tender-about 20 minutes.
• Add the peas and artichoke hearts and cook about 1 minute longer.
• Serve and enjoy. Reprinted with permission from "The Compassionate Cook Cookbook ."

ZESTY VEGGIE PAELLA

Steps:

• In a large pot, cook onion, red pepper, and garlic with olive oil over medium high heat; stir occasionally for about 5 minutes until vegetable are softened.
• Add rice stir to coat with oil and vegetable mixture.
• Add tomatoes, broth, and red pepper flakes.
• Bring to a boil.
• Cover and reduce heat to medium low.
• Cook for 10 minutes; stirring occasionally.
• Add zucchini, artichoke hearts, and carrots.
• Continue to cook, covered, for 15-20 minutes until broth is almost absorbed.
• Add peas and parsley and cook a few more minutes until heated through.

VEGETABLE PAELLA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Core the tomatoes, cut into wedges and place in a medium bowl; season with salt, drizzle with a bit of olive oil and toss. Set aside.
• Heat 1/4 cup olive oil in a 12-inch ovenproof skillet or a paella pan over medium-high heat. Add the onion, garlic, paprika, cayenne and saffron and season with salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens, about 5 minutes.
• Add the fennel wedges and cook until lightly browned on one side, about 5 minutes. Flip the fennel and add the baby artichokes and eggplant to the skillet; cook until slightly tender, about 4 more minutes. Add the mushrooms and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Pour in the wine and simmer until reduced by about one-third. Stir in the rice and 1 3/4 teaspoons salt; add just enough water to cover the rice completely, 2 1/2 to 3 cups. Increase the heat to high and boil for 2 to 3 minutes. Scatter the haricots verts and 2 tablespoons capers over the rice. Remove the pan from the heat and arrange the tomatoes on top; drizzle with any tomato juices.
• Transfer the paella to the oven and bake, undisturbed, for 20 minutes. Scatter the remaining 2 tablespoons capers and the piquillo peppers over the paella. Turn off the oven but leave the paella inside to continue cooking until the rice is tender, 15 to 20 more minutes. Garnish with parsley, if desired