Spanish Seafood Paella: A Taste of Coastal Spain
Spanish seafood paella is a classic Mediterranean dish that combines saffron-infused rice, tender seafood, and bold Spanish spices for a vibrant, flavorful meal. Whether for a family gathering or a special occasion, this one-pan dish is sure to impress with its authentic taste and stunning presentation.
Ingredients
Seafood Paella Base
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ½ onion diced
- ½ red bell pepper diced
- 1 tube squid cleaned and sliced into rings
- 12 raw jumbo shrimp peeled and deveined
- 8 fresh mussels cleaned
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil 80 ml
- ½ cup tomato sauce 112 grams
- ½ tsp sweet smoked Spanish paprika 1.3 grams
- 2 ½ cups fish broth 600 ml
- ¼ tsp saffron threads or powder 0.17 grams
- 1 cup uncooked round rice 200 grams
- 2 lemon wedges
- Handful of parsley finely chopped
- Sea salt & black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Mince the garlic, dice the onion and red bell pepper, clean and slice the squid, peel and devein the shrimp, and clean the mussels.
- Cook the Base: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or paella pan over medium heat. Sauté the garlic, onion, and red bell pepper for 3-4 minutes.
- Add Tomato Sauce and Spices: Stir in the tomato sauce and smoked paprika, cooking for 2 minutes to develop the flavors.
- Cook the Seafood: Add the squid to the pan and sauté for 2-3 minutes. Arrange the shrimp and mussels evenly in the pan.
- Add the Rice: Sprinkle the uncooked rice evenly over the pan without stirring.
- Infuse with Broth and Saffron: Dissolve saffron in warm fish broth and pour evenly over the rice and seafood. Season with sea salt and black pepper.
- Simmer: Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce to low heat. Simmer uncovered for 15-20 minutes until the rice absorbs the broth.
- Rest and Serve: Remove from heat, cover with a clean towel, and let the paella rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with parsley and serve with lemon wedges.