Paella Fritters 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.

PANELLE (SICILIAN CHICKPEA FRITTERS)

Steps:

• Place chickpea flour and some salt in a large saucepan over low heat. Pour in water, a little at a time, while whisking to prevent lumps.
• Once mixture is smooth and creamy, increase to medium heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring continuously, until the mix starts separating from the sides of the pan.
• Add parsley and a bit of pepper. Adjust salt if needed.
• Pour chickpea mixture onto a greased baking sheet. Spread evenly to form a 1 1/2 inch thick layer. Refrigerate until mixture has hardened, at least 30 minutes.
• Slice chickpea mixture into 1 1/2- x 2-inch rectangles.
• Heat vegetable oil in a deep pot until 250 degrees F (120 degrees F). Drop a few rectangles at a time into the hot oil and deep fry until crispy, 3 to 4 minutes. Drain on paper towels and serve hot.

PAELLA

Steps:

• Sprinkle chicken pieces evenly with salt and 18 turns of pepper. Pat in seasoning with your hands. Heat oil in a large deep saucepan over high heat. Add chicken and sear until brown on all sides, about 4 minutes. Add onions, bell peppers, celery, garlic, sausage and rice and stir-fry 2 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, Worcestershire, hot sauce, bay leaves, Creole seasoning and saffron and simmer 1 minute. Add stock, stir well and bring to a boil. Cover and cook 4 minutes.
• Add lobster, tucking pieces into rice, cover and cook 4 minutes. Add clams, cover and cook 4 minutes. Add mussels and shrimp, cover and cook until rice is tender and shellfish are opened, about 3 minutes. Discard any mussels or clams that have not opened.
• Remove bay leaves and serve in large shallow bowls. Place empty bowls on table for shells.

VEGETABLE PAELLA WITH CHORIZO

Steps:

• Heat oven to 450 degrees. In a 12-inch cast-iron or ovenproof skillet, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add tomato paste and cook, stirring, until lightly caramelized, about 2 minutes. Stir in rice, paprika and remaining 1 tablespoon oil; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until well combined and rice begins to toast, about 1 minute.
• Stir in cauliflower, brussels sprouts, peas, chorizo and broth, season with salt and pepper and bring to a boil over high heat. Transfer to the oven and bake, uncovered and without stirring, until rice is tender and all of the liquid is absorbed, about 20 minutes.
• Transfer paella to stovetop and cook over medium heat, without stirring, to crisp up the bottom layer of rice, 2 to 3 minutes. You will hear it crackle; be careful not to burn. Let stand for 5 minutes, then sprinkle with scallions and serve with lemon wedges.

VEGETABLE PAELLA

Steps:

• Bring water to a boil in small saucepan. Add saffron, cover and remove from heat. Let stand 10 minutes.
• Heat olive oil in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add bell pepper and onion and sauté until onion is golden, about 8 minutes. Add artichokes and garlic and sauté 5 minutes. Reduce heat to low. Add rice and stir to coat with oil. Add chicken stock, escarole and tomatoes and bring to boil, stirring frequently. Add saffron water, paprika and salt. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and cook 15 minutes. Mix beans and peas into rice, cover and continue cooking mixture until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender, about 5 minutes. Remove saucepan from heat. Let stand 5 minutes and serve.

BREAKFAST PAELLA

Steps:

• Heat oil in a paella pan or large cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper, and chorizo. Cook, stirring frequently, until vegetables soften, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add rice, salt, paprika, and saffron. Cook, stirring frequently, until rice is lightly toasted, about 1 minute.
• Add broth, beans, sofrito, olives, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, shaking pan occasionally (do not stir) until rice is almost done but still toothsome, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove and discard bay leaves.
• Gently fold in peas, being careful not to disturb the bottom of the skillet. Make 4 indentations in the rice. Add one egg into each indentation. Simmer, covered, until whites are set and yolks are thickened, 7 to 10 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley and serve with lemon wedges (if using).