If you are familiar with Spanish food and cuisines, you probably have heard of the Paella recipe, the European nation’s national food. Originating from Valencia, this dish is a one-pot recipe, in which rice, saffron, vegetables, meat, and seafood are presented together in an aroma of traditional flavours and spices.
It’s easy to make this at home with the correct ingredients, and this easy-to-follow Spanish Paella Recipe. Along with the traditional meat & seafood paella recipe, you will also find an alternative vegetarian paella recipe mentioned below!
What makes this recipe unique is the method it is prepared in. It’s cooked on an open fire in a wide and shallow pan which is called “paella” in the regional language of Valencia. This is where it draws its name from, and its origin can be traced back to the mid-19th century.
The main character and colour come from saffron, which contributes to the taste of this recipe majorly. Although it’s a national and popular Spanish food, paella is enjoyed tremendously throughout the Mediterranean area, with many regional variations of this dish being a fan-favourite among localities.
The recipe also traditionally utilises several other spices including turmeric, but with Fern’s Food Biryani Paste, you can easily substitute them! Our curry pastes have an array of spices and masalas including Chilli, Coriander, Cumin, Turmeric, Cinnamon, Pepper, Cardamom & Ginger Powders, which makes them ready-to-add and a lifesaver in the kitchen!
Here is how to prepare a delicious and traditional Paella recipe with ingredients at home.
How to Make Meat & Seafood Paella? Authentic Spanish Paella Recipe
Method To Cook Spanish Paella:
- Heat oil in a wide and shallow pan.
- Add in chopped garlic, onions and bay leaves.
- Add jointed chicken and sauté until golden brown.
- Add Fern’s Food Biryani Paste.
- Add the rice and fry for 2 minutes.
- Add salt, stock, French beans, peas, bacon, and prawns.
- Cover the pan and cook until the rice is cooked and the meat is tender.
- Add crushed saffron and mix.
- Serve hot.
The taste of Paella is mostly natural. It relies on the taste of meat and seafood, along with the subtle flavours of saffron and other condiments. The texture of rice goes along well with the vegetables, broth, and meat with a slight kick from the spices.
Fern’s Food Biryani Paste is the final decor, giving this recipe a traditional twist and taste. Due to being thoroughly cooked, this meat and seafood paella recipe is also a healthy and hearty one, perfect for a rainy or cold day!
How to Cook a Vegetarian Paella Recipe?
The vegetarian version of this dish is just as delicious! Instead of chicken stock, you can replace the same with vegetable broth. The meat and seafood can be substituted with vegetables like mushrooms, baby corn, bell peppers, eggplant, zucchini, and olives. You can also add paneer bits if you are feeling rebellious! Serve with lemon slices and garnish with parsley leaves.
We hope you found this Spanish paella recipe easy to follow and the result was a steaming and comforting bowl of goodness! If you are a home cook who loves to cook Indian and International recipes, don’t go yet! We have so much more for you.
With the ingredients lying around your kitchen, and Ferns’ Food Product essentials, you can cook up a storm of delicious, authentic, and soul-stirring meals with ease. Visit our Recipe Page to learn how to prepare the best International cuisines.
Ingredients required to Prepare Spanish Paella:
- ½ kg chicken
- ½ kg shelled and cleaned prawns/ lobster
- 2 to 3 rashers bacon
- 1½ cups shelled green peas
- ½ cup French beans, cut into juliennes
- ½ cup chopped onion
- 1 kg long grain rice like Basmati
- 4 cups stock
- ½ g saffron
- 8 – 10 flakes of garlic
- 2-3 bay leaves
- ¼ cup oil
- 2 teaspoons Ferns’ Biryani Paste.
- Salt to Taste