Smoky Seafood Paella

TRADITIONAL SPANISH SEAFOOD PAELLA RECIPE

Steps:

• In a large saucepan over high heat, bring the white wine and seafood stock to a simmer. Add a pinch of saffron threads and keep warm.
• Meanwhile, put a large (16-inch) paella pan (see notes) over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. When hot, add the onion to the pan and saute until translucent, stirring often.
• Add the garlic and cook until aromatic (about 1-2 minutes). Before it starts to brown, add the tomato and stir, adding in the paprika and a pinch of salt. Continue to stir and saute until the tomatoes are reduced and the oil is sizzling.
• Gently add the squid to the pan and stir to coat in the tomato mixture. Saute for about a minute, to give some color to the squid.
• Next, add the rice and stir to combine. After a minute of sauteing, spread the rice evenly across the pan (don't worry if it looks like a thin layer, it will puff up).
• Gently add the simmering white wine and stock to the pan, all in one go. Reduce the heat to low, and cook, without stirring, for 10 minutes. Carefully lay the prawns/shrimp in a circle on top of the rice and cook for a further 10 minutes, turning the shrimp over as they start to turn pink. If the rice starts to dry out before the shrimp is cooked, you can top it up with a bit more hot stock, half a cup at a time.
• Meanwhile, steam the mussels by putting them in a large skillet with a tight-fitting lid in half an inch of water. When the shells open, they are cooked! (Discard any that do not open).
• When the stock in the paella pan fully evaporates, you will hear a faint cracking from the bottom of the pan as the socarrat starts to form. If you don't hear anything, you can raise the heat to medium for a short burst!
• When the rice is ready, remove the pan from the heat and arrange the mussels on top of the rice. Serve from the pan, with wedges of fresh lemon.

SMOKY SEAFOOD PAELLA

Steps:

• Prepare a medium-hot fire (a 3-second fire) in a campfire or wood-fired grill.
• Cut the calamari bodies into 1/2-inch-wide rings and set aside with the tentacles. In a small bowl, combine the saffron threads and boiling water and let stand until ready to use.
• Place a 12-inch paella pan or other wide, shallow pan on a grate above the campfire or grill grate. Sprinkle in the dried herbs and stir for a few seconds to toast. Add the olive oil, onions, and garlic and cook, stirring, until the onions are translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the bell peppers and cook for another 3 minutes, or until they begin to soften. Add the rice and continue to cook, stirring, until the rice glistens and has changed color slightly. Add 6 cups of the broth and the saffron water and bring to a boil. Add the calamari, ham, chorizo, fish, and tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes. Add the green peas. Cook until most but not all of the liquid has been absorbed. From time to time, add more broth if it evaporates too quickly from the heat and the rice begins to stick. Continue stirring the rice and adding broth as needed until the rice is cooked.
• Distribute the mussels, clams, and shrimp on top of the rice and push down slightly into the rice. Let them cook, without stirring, for about 10 minutes or until the shrimp are evenly pink and mussels and clams have opened. Remove the paella from the heat. Sprinkle with the fresh herbs, cover lightly with aluminum foil or a cloth and let stand for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to blend. Discard any mussels or clams that have failed to open. Serve hot.

SMOKY PAPRIKA SEAFOOD RICE

Steps:

• Heat the stock in a large saucepan. Add the saffron to infuse, if you like. Take off the heat and set aside. In a large deep-sided frying pan or paella pan, heat 1 tbsp of the oil. Smash the whole garlic clove and add to the oil. Throw in the prawns and cook for 2 mins until just turning pink but not cooked through. Push to one side of the pan and add the squid to the garlicky oil for 1 min or so, again just to colour. Remove the seafood to a plate.
• Add the remaining oil to the pan, and cook the onion and celery slowly for 15 mins until very soft and beginning to caramelise. Add the finely chopped garlic, the fennel seeds, tomato purée and paprika, and cook for 5 mins more. Meanwhile, bring the stock to a simmer. Add the rice to the pan with the onion mixture, give everything a good stir, then add the sherry and 1 litre of the hot stock. Bring to the boil and simmer gently for 15 mins, shaking the pan from time to time.
• When the rice is almost cooked but still has a little bite, dot over the prawns, squid and the mussels. Add the cooking juices and the rest of the stock. Cover and cook for 5 mins until the seafood is cooked through, the mussels have opened and the rice is just tender. (You may have to add a splash more water if the rice looks dry.) Discard any mussels that haven't opened. Sprinkle over some chopped parsley and serve with lemon wedges to squeeze over.