Valencian Paella
- 9 - 10 people Feeds
- 60m Prep time
- 45m Cook time
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
- Heat the oil in a paella dish or large shallow frying pan.
- Season the chicken, duck breasts and pork belly. Chop garlic, add it with meats to the pan and brown for 10 min.
- 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).
- 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.
- 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').
- Remove from the heat and garnish with peppers and lemon wedges. Enjoy!