Paella is a traditional Spanish dish. It is a complete meal that includes rice, your protein of choice and vegetables. And, while it seems like a complicated dish – what with all the ingredients – it is actually quite easy to cook. Even a beginner can give it a try!

Here’s our take on seafood paella. Enjoy!

2 cups uncooked Envireco Fine Foods Long Grain Rice
1 pinch saffron thread
2 cups shrimps, peeled and deveined
2 cups fish fillet (white fish), cut in bite-size pieces
2 cups uncooked mussels
1 uncooked crab
1 quart seafood stock (from cooking the mussels and crab)
2 cloves of garlic, crushed
1 red onion, finely chopped
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon fresh or dried oregano
1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
parsley, finely chopped
extra virgin olive oil
lemon zest
red pepper, black pepper and salt, to taste

Pre-cook your seafood separately. Make sure to take them off the heat a minute before they are thoroughly cooked. They need to finish cooking with the rest of the paella dish. Save the stock.

Saute the garlic, onions and uncooked rice in a paella pan, wok or large skillet. Add the bell pepper and saute for a minute more. Add stock slowly, stirring it into the whole mix. When done, add your bay leaf, saffron threads and lemon zest. Stir thoroughly and bring down to medium heat. Cover – resist the urge to uncover and check every so often. You need to leave it to cook in heat and steam.

After 15 minutes of simmering, stir in the seafood. This is the final step in the seafood’s cooing process. It also allows the fish and the rest of the yummy food to take in all the flavors. Top with coriander and lemon slices.