Best 2 Marias Classic Paella Recipes

**Discover the Delights of Maria's Classic Paella: A Culinary Journey into Spanish Cuisine**

Embark on a culinary adventure to the vibrant streets of Spain with Maria's classic paella, a traditional dish that captures the essence of Spanish cuisine. This delectable rice dish is a symphony of flavors and textures, featuring succulent seafood, tender chicken, and an array of colorful vegetables, all harmoniously combined in a saffron-infused broth. Indulge in the authentic taste of Spain with our carefully curated collection of paella recipes, each offering unique variations to tantalize your taste buds. From the traditional Valencian paella to the seafood-rich paella de marisco, our recipes cater to every palate and preference. Prepare to be captivated by the vibrant colors, enticing aromas, and unforgettable flavors of this iconic Spanish dish.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

MARIA'S PAELLA

Maria's Paella image

This is the paella all your family and friends will beg you to make again. It has the true flavor of Spain and has been made by my family in Catalonia, Spain for many generations. Enjoy!

Provided by Desi Carrimko

Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Spanish

Time 1h10m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 18

Ingredients

½ cup olive oil
1 ¼ pounds chicken thighs
½ cup onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, chopped
½ green bell pepper, diced
½ red bell pepper, diced
¼ pound calamari rings
¼ pound small shrimp - peeled and deveined
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons saffron threads
1 (14 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
½ cup peas
3 cups long grain rice
6 cups water
6 large clams in shell, scrubbed
6 jumbo shrimp in shells (21-25 per lb.)
6 large sea scallops
6 wedges lemon

Steps:

Heat olive oil in a very large skillet or paella pan over medium-high heat until it begins to smoke. Place chicken thighs skin-side down into oil and sear until golden brown on both sides, about 5 minutes; set aside.
Stir in onion and garlic, and cook until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 1 minute. Add green and red bell peppers, calamari, and small shrimp; cook for 2 minutes more.
Stir in salt, saffron, tomatoes, peas, rice, and water until well combined. Add chicken thighs, and simmer for 15 minutes over medium-high heat, stirring frequently to make sure rice does not stick.
Decoratively nestle clams and jumbo shrimp into the rice. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes. Place the scallops into the paella, recover, and continue simmering until the rice is tender and the scallops firm and opaque, about 5 minutes. Garnish with lemon wedges to serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 814.3 calories, Carbohydrate 87.4 g, Cholesterol 210.9 mg, Fat 29.9 g, Fiber 4.3 g, Protein 47.2 g, SaturatedFat 5.6 g, Sodium 770 mg, Sugar 2.1 g

EASY PAELLA

Easy Paella image

An easy to make paella using chorizo, chicken, and shrimp.

Provided by mls

Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Spanish

Time 1h

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 19

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon paprika
2 teaspoons dried oregano
salt and black pepper to taste
2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into 2 inch pieces
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
3 cloves garlic, crushed
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 cups uncooked short-grain white rice
1 pinch saffron threads
1 bay leaf
½ bunch Italian flat leaf parsley, chopped
1 quart chicken stock
2 lemons, zested
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 Spanish onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, coarsely chopped
1 pound chorizo sausage, casings removed and crumbled
1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined

Steps:

In a medium bowl, mix together 2 tablespoons olive oil, paprika, oregano, and salt and pepper. Stir in chicken pieces to coat. Cover, and refrigerate.
Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet or paella pan over medium heat. Stir in garlic, red pepper flakes, and rice. Cook, stirring, to coat rice with oil, about 3 minutes. Stir in saffron threads, bay leaf, parsley, chicken stock, and lemon zest. Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce heat to medium low. Simmer 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a separate skillet over medium heat. Stir in marinated chicken and onion; cook 5 minutes. Stir in bell pepper and sausage; cook 5 minutes. Stir in shrimp; cook, turning the shrimp, until both sides are pink.
Spread rice mixture onto a serving tray. Top with meat and seafood mixture.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 736.2 calories, Carbohydrate 45.7 g, Cholesterol 202.5 mg, Fat 35.1 g, Fiber 2.9 g, Protein 55.7 g, SaturatedFat 10.3 g, Sodium 1204.2 mg, Sugar 1.9 g

Tips:

Use high-quality ingredients: The quality of your ingredients will greatly impact the flavor of your paella. Use fresh seafood, vegetables, and Bomba or Valencia rice.
Prepare your ingredients in advance: To make the cooking process smoother, chop your vegetables and seafood, and measure out your ingredients before you start cooking.
Use a wide, shallow pan: A wide, shallow pan will allow the paella to cook evenly and develop a nice soccarat (the crispy layer of rice at the bottom of the pan).
Cook the rice in stages: First, cook the rice in the olive oil until it is slightly toasted. Then, add the stock and cook the rice until it is almost tender. Finally, add the seafood and vegetables and cook until the rice is fully cooked and the seafood is cooked through.
Let the paella rest before serving: After cooking, let the paella rest for a few minutes before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld and the rice to absorb any remaining liquid.

Conclusion:

Maria's classic paella is a delicious and authentic Spanish dish that is perfect for a special occasion. With its vibrant flavors and beautiful presentation, this dish is sure to impress your guests. So next time you are looking for a special dish to make, give Maria's classic paella a try!