Embark on a culinary journey to the vibrant region of Valencia, Spain, and discover the authentic flavors of the iconic Paella Valenciana. This beloved dish, deeply rooted in Spanish culinary traditions, is a symphony of flavors and textures, a harmonious blend of rice, vegetables, meat, and seafood.
In this comprehensive guide, we present two enticing variations of Paella Valenciana: the traditional recipe, a testament to culinary heritage, and a modern interpretation that adds a contemporary twist to this classic dish. Get ready to tantalize your taste buds and immerse yourself in the vibrant culinary culture of Spain.
The traditional Paella Valenciana, a true masterpiece, showcases the essence of this iconic dish. With its vibrant yellow hue and an aromatic blend of spices, it features tender chicken, succulent rabbit, and plump green beans, each ingredient contributing its unique flavor and texture. The bomba rice, renowned for its ability to absorb the flavorful broth, forms the heart of this dish, while the addition of saffron lends its distinct color and aroma.
The modern Paella Valenciana, a creative rendition of the classic, offers a delightful twist while staying true to its roots. This variation introduces tender shrimp and calamari, adding a briny depth of flavor. Sweet piquillo peppers and vibrant artichoke hearts bring a touch of color and a medley of textures. The use of bomba rice ensures the perfect balance of chewiness and tenderness, while the saffron's golden hue and earthy aroma remain central to the dish's identity.
PAELLA VALENCIANA
No seafood in this paella! Recipes for the iconic Spanish rice dish differ from region to region, and in Valencia, it's all about ingredients that come from the land. Our version calls for pimenton-spiced chicken legs and plenty of vegetables, from fresh broad beans and tomatoes to frozen lima beans and canned artichokes.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Meat & Poultry Chicken
Time 1h15m
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a small bowl, mix pimenton with 2 teaspoons salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and 1 tablespoon oil. Rub mixture all over chicken and let stand while you prepare remaining ingredients (or cover and refrigerate up to 2 days).
- Combine broth, rosemary, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a small pot; crumble saffron into mixture. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce heat to lowest setting and cover to keep warm.
- Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a 15-inch paella pan over medium-high. Season chicken with salt and pepper; cook, flipping once and occasionally turning pan to ensure even cooking, until golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Drain fat from pan and wipe out any blackened bits.
- Return pan to medium-high heat and swirl in remaining 3 tablespoons oil. Add onion, bell pepper, garlic, and a large pinch of salt; cook, stirring often, until softened, 4 to 5 minutes. Add rice and cook, stirring, until grains are well-toasted and begin to pop, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in tomato paste and cook 1 minute. Add tomatoes and wine; cook until liquid has evaporated, about 30 seconds. Discard rosemary from reserved stock mixture and adjust seasoning as desired; add to pan. Bring to a boil and cook, without stirring, until liquid has reduced slightly, about 5 minutes. Add lima beans, broad beans, and artichoke hearts; nestle chicken into rice, skin-side up.
- Transfer to oven and bake until liquid has evaporated and rice is cooked through (top may look underdone, check just beneath for doneness), 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from oven and let stand, covered with foil, 5 minutes. Serve with lemon wedges.
PAELLA VALENCIANA
Provided by Martha Rose Shulman
Categories Chicken Onion Tomato Dinner Rabbit Saffron Green Bean Lima Bean Family Reunion Party Potluck Dairy Free Wheat/Gluten-Free Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free No Sugar Added
Yield Makes 8 generous servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- 1. Bring 10 cups of water to a boil over medium-high heat and add the dried beans. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until just tender, 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Stir in 2 teaspoons of salt and let rest in their liquid for about 30 minutes before draining.
- 2. Cut up the rabbit: Cut off the hind legs, using a sharp boning knife to slice between each leg and the hip joint. Cut each hind leg into two pieces, slicing at the joint between the thigh and leg. Cut off the front legs, slicing between each leg and the shoulder joint. Cut the body into three sections: ribs, loin, and bottom, using a heavy meat cleaver. Cut the loin in half, then cut the ribs in half through the breast and backbone, then cut each half in half.
- 3. Prepare a wood (or charcoal) fire and heat the oil in a large paella pan set over the hottest part of the fire. Season the chicken and rabbit with 2 teaspoons each of salt and pepper. When the oil is hot, add the chicken and rabbit and fry over medium-high heat, turning the meat to brown all sides evenly, 8 to 10 minutes.
- 4. Add the tomatoes, onions, garlic, and green beans and continue to cook over medium heat until the beans are nearly tender, about 15 minutes. Add 10 cups of water and the rosemary sprig and move to the hottest part of the grill, or rearrange or add coals to raise the heat to high. Cover the pan with a grill lid.
- 5. Remove the lid when the water comes to a boil. Stir in 2 1/2 teaspoons of salt and the saffron, then sprinkle the rice evenly around the pan directly into the liquid, avoiding the meat.
- 6. Add the broad beans. Stir gently one time only to evenly distribute the rice (do not stir again). Remove the rosemary.
- 7. Cook, uncovered, turning the pan one-quarter turn every 5 minutes to help ensure even heat distribution. Cook the rice over high heat for 10 minutes, or until the water is almost absorbed, then move to a cooler part of the grill and cook at a gentle simmer over low heat for another 10 minutes, or until the rice has absorbed all of the liquid. The rice should be al dente when it is done; if it is too firm when the liquid is absorbed, add additional water 1 cup at a time, continuing cooking until the rice is done. During this period, keep the heat at a level that allows the liquid to simmer gently.
- 8. Remove the paella from the heat, and cover and allow to sit for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Serve about 2 cups of the rice and vegetables and 1 piece each of the rabbit and chicken for each of 8 servings in large heated soup bowls. Or place the warm paella pan on the table and allow guests to serve themselves.
PAELLA VALENCIANA
Provided by David Kamen
Categories Chicken Rice Shellfish Dinner Sausage Seafood Saffron Simmer Dairy Free Wheat/Gluten-Free Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free No Sugar Added
Yield Makes 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- 1. In a saucepot over medium-high heat, bring the chicken stock to a boil and add the saffron. Reserve the stock warm over medium-low heat.
- 2. In a medium-size paella pan over medium-high heat, heat the oil. Add the chicken to the pan and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, 5 to 6 minutes.
- 3. Add the peppers, carrots, onion, and chorizo, and sauté until the vegetables just start to tenderize, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the rice and toast, stirring frequently, until it just becomes translucent, 2 to 3 minutes.
- 4. Add enough of the warm stock to the pan to just cover the rice, and bring the liquid to a boil. Cover the pan, reduce the heat to medium, and simmer for 10 minutes.
- 5. Arrange the seafood and peas over the rice, add the lemon juice, re-cover, and continue simmering until the seafood is cooked through and shellfish have opened, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove the cooked paella from the heat and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve with lemon wedges.
AUTHENTIC PAELLA VALENCIANA
I lived in Spain for two years where I was taught the art of making the Paella which originated in Valencia. I haven't found anything on here which is even close to authentic, so I thought I would add this recipe for those who would like to try a taste of Spain. First and foremost you will need a special paella pan called a paellera or just a paella. Trust me after you taste this you'll be glad you bought the special pan.
Provided by Jason Nelson
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Spanish
Time 2h
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Heat a paella pan over medium-high heat, and coat with olive oil. Add the chicken, rabbit and garlic; cook and stir until nicely browned. Move the browned meat to the sides of the pan, and add the tomato, butter beans, peas, and green beans. Season with paprika, and mix well.
- Fill the paella pan almost to the top with water, measuring the water as you put it in. This is to help you to determine how much rice to add, as paella pans come in different sizes. Bring to a boil. Simmer for about 1 hour to make a nice broth.
- Season with a generous amount of salt, and just enough saffron to make a nice yellow color. Season with thyme and rosemary if desired. The goal is to make a rich tasting broth that will soak into the rice to make it delicious. Stir in half as much rice as the amount of water in the pan. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer until all of the liquid has been absorbed, about 20 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 783.4 calories, Carbohydrate 87.3 g, Cholesterol 82.1 mg, Fat 31.3 g, Fiber 4.5 g, Protein 34.2 g, SaturatedFat 8.6 g, Sodium 327.8 mg, Sugar 2.1 g
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients. This means using fresh vegetables, seafood, and meat. It also means using a good quality olive oil.
- Take the time to prepare your ingredients. This includes chopping the vegetables and seafood into uniform pieces and marinating the chicken or meat.
- Cook the paella over medium heat. This will help to prevent the rice from burning and will allow the flavors to develop.
- Do not stir the paella while it is cooking. Stirring the paella will break up the rice and make it mushy.
- Let the paella rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld and the rice to absorb the liquid.
Conclusion:
Paella Valenciana is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a perfect dish for a party or a special occasion. With a little planning and effort, you can easily make a delicious paella at home. So next time you are looking for a new recipe to try, give paella Valenciana a try. You won't be disappointed!
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