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Modern Paella

If you've ever wanted to make Paella at home, but wanted a slightly simpler yet just as flavorful recipe - this one is for you!
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Spanish

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tbsp olive oil divided
  • 1 small onion
  • 1 whole chorizo sausage
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 1 ¾ cups Arborio rice
  • 5 cups chicken stock
  • 2 bell peppers
  • 2 cups green peas frozen
  • 14-16 large prawns
  • 2 limes, juiced
  • 2 limes, quartered for serving
  • ½ cup chopped cilantro
Spices
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp curry powder
  • ½ tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 tsp saffron
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp pepper

Equipment

  • 2 cast iron skillets

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven at 425℉.
  2. In a sauce pan on medium-high heat, toast the spices until there is noticeable smoke coming out. Add the chicken stock. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes.
  3. In a cast iron skillet, add the olive oil. Cook the onion for 5 minutes. Add the sausage and cook for 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 2 minutes.
  4. To the cast iron skillet, add the rice and toast for 2-3 minutes. Stir the rice in the oil to coat every grain of rice. Add more olive oil if needed (1 tsp at a time).
  5. Add a few ladles of chicken stock to the cast iron skillet, enough to fully cover the rice, stir and cook for 5 minutes. Add 1-2 ladles of chicken stock, stir and cook for another 5 minutes. Repeat one more time.
  6. Add the bell peppers and remaining chicken stock to the cast iron skillet and stir. Put the skillet in the oven and cook for 7 minutes.
  7. In a different cast iron skillet, add 1 tbsp of olive oil. On high heat, add the prawns in an even layer and cook for 2 minutes. Flip the prawns and deglaze the skillet with 2 tbsp of fresh lime juice, 2 minutes. Remove from the heat immediately, resting the prawns and their juices on a plate.
  8. Remove the cast iron skillet from the oven, add the green peas, remaining lime juice and ¼ cup of chopped cilantro. Stir and cook the peas for 2-3 minutes. Serve immediately with 7-8 prawns per serving (2). Enjoy!
  9. Once cooled, divide the remaining paella into two containers (2 servings per container). To reheat, add the paella with ¼ cup of water to a skillet on medium heat and cover with a lid for 5 minutes. Top it off with sunny side-up eggs, cilantro and more lime juice.