Valencian Paella

  • Feeds 9 - 10 people
  • Prep time 60m
  • Cook time 45m
Description

Valencian paella is a traditional dish from the region of Valencia in Spain, made primarily with rice, green beans, different meats such as chicken, pork and duck and sometimes snails. Cooked in a wide, shallow pan called a paellera, this dish highlights the flavours of saffron and paprika, which give the rice its distinctive golden hue. The cooking process allows the rice to absorb the rich meat broth, creating a crispy layer at the bottom called socarrat, a prized component of authentic paella. Unlike seafood versions, Valencian paella stays true to its land-based ingredients, rooted in the farming traditions of the area.

  • 6 cups of Paella rice
  • 2kg chicken
  • 4 x 200g duck breasts
  • 1.5kg pork belly
  • 500g stringless green beans
  • 2 peppers
  • 3 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped
  • 4 x 400g artichoke hearts
  • 400g chopped tomatoes
  • 2.5l water
  • Olive oil
  • Saffron threads
  • Paprika
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • Lemon wedges to garnish
  1. Heat the oil in a paella dish or large shallow frying pan.
  2. Season the chicken, duck breasts and pork belly. Chop garlic, add it with meats to the pan and brown for 10 min.
  3. Cut peppers and stringless green beans into small strips. Add them to the pan and fry for about 5 min. Once peppers are soft, remove them from the pan and set aside (they will be used to garnish paella).
  4. Add the paella rice, some water and the saffron, distributing it evenly over the surface of the pan. Boil on a high heat for 5 mins. Add artichoke hearts and chopped tomatoes.
  5. Turn the heat on low and cook for a further 20 min. Cook until the liquid is absorbed and the bottom layers of rice are crispy ('socarrat').
  6. Remove from the heat and garnish with peppers and lemon wedges. Enjoy!

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