Let's Talk Paella

[Recidiva]

My family has a favorite homemade paella recipe, and as yummy as it is, it is essentially arroz con cosas, rice with stuff.

I am going to make my family's version of paella for an upcoming event, but I also want a paella method that creates the crust at the bottom that is the hallmark of actual paella.

Anybody have a recipe or a method or a pan recommendation that would make Jose Andres nod in approval?

 

[Aphro]

Never made it, but will be watching carefully for recipes.

I love new recipes...I collect them in a binder, then never make them.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

My family has a favorite homemade paella recipe, and as yummy as it is, it is essentially arroz con cosas, rice with stuff.

I am going to make my family's version of paella for an upcoming event, but I also want a paella method that creates the crust at the bottom that is the hallmark of actual paella.

Anybody have a recipe or a method or a pan recommendation that would make Jose Andres nod in approval?

Paella is one of those dishes made a million ways. The award winners are loaded with seafood, and I do enjoy arroz con malinara? rice and squid. Theres a Spanish ham that costs $100 a pound, try that in your Paella.

I need to turn you On to Cuban Crab Croquettes. They are to die for.

 

[Recidiva]

Never made it, but will be watching carefully for recipes.

I love new recipes...I collect them in a binder, then never make them.

Even my fancy "Modernist Cuisine" mooshed paella and risotto together. No pan method.

Yes, risotto and rice pilaf are awesome. But let's respect Spanish tradition! There's yummies in them thar hills.

 

[Recidiva]

Paella is one of those dishes made a million ways. The award winners are loaded with seafood, and I do enjoy arroz con malinara? rice and squid. Theres a Spanish ham that costs $100 a pound, try that in your Paella.

I need to turn you On to Cuban Crab Croquettes. They are to die for.

Ulaven just found an amazing salmon croquette recipe and we've had them two weeks in a row. Lay it on me.

My family's recipe of paella is fine for what it is, but my sister substitutes kielbasa for chorizo and stuff like that.

Ulaven doesn't like seafood and we'll have to make it like pizza with half free of at least the shrimp.

I'm going to have to tinker a lot. We're also wondering if it can be made in an electric wok if the temperature is right.

 

[Not Normal]

Thanks, now I want Paella.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

http://spanishfood.about.com/od/maincourses/r/paellavalencian.htm

Rabbit, chicken, and snails

 

[Recidiva]

Thanks, now I want Paella.

Me too! And I've got to find the right rice, too.

I need:

Rice
Pan
Method
Stuffins

So basically everything. It's out there. I just have to sort through all the stuff that calls itself a traditional paella, sort through it, then figure out how to make the traditional method, and then figure out how to shortcut and alter the recipe so I can make it in half the time and at half the cost and it tastes just as good.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

http://spanishfood.about.com/od/tap...-With-Bread-Recipe-Morcilla-Frita-Con-Pan.htm

Spanish Blood Sausage. I like it a lot. Just don't reveal what it is.

 

[Aphro]

http://spanishfood.about.com/od/maincourses/r/paellavalencian.htm

Rabbit, chicken, and snails

Bunnies! Nooooooo!

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Bunnies! Nooooooo!

hahahahaha then leave the bunnies out! There are a bazillion ways to make paella. I make chicken, bell peppers, onion, tomatoes and spices. Its cheap and tastes good.

 

[Recidiva]

http://spanishfood.about.com/od/maincourses/r/paellavalencian.htm

Rabbit, chicken, and snails

Excellent source. I'm going to poke around a bit on the method.

I also want to make a paella that doesn't force you to commit to a whole drumstick, because that seems like a lot of commitment to chicken when the star should be the rice. I'd probably substitute portioned thigh meat that would be bite sized.

Vegetable choices are also difficult because of the method. Mushrooms do well and sometimes I go for peas, but they should probably be cooked separately and incorporated. Carrots are a nice choice for color and sweetness.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Blood sausage looks like weird salami

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Excellent source. I'm going to poke around a bit on the method.

I also want to make a paella that doesn't force you to commit to a whole drumstick, because that seems like a lot of commitment to chicken when the star should be the rice. I'd probably substitute portioned thigh meat that would be bite sized.

Vegetable choices are also difficult because of the method. Mushrooms do well and sometimes I go for peas, but they should probably be cooked separately and incorporated. Carrots are a nice choice for color and sweetness.

What they did in Spain was fry chicken wings as a side, and use boned chicken in the paella.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Excellent source. I'm going to poke around a bit on the method.

I also want to make a paella that doesn't force you to commit to a whole drumstick, because that seems like a lot of commitment to chicken when the star should be the rice. I'd probably substitute portioned thigh meat that would be bite sized.

Vegetable choices are also difficult because of the method. Mushrooms do well and sometimes I go for peas, but they should probably be cooked separately and incorporated. Carrots are a nice choice for color and sweetness.

Skip the veggies and make a decent salad. Like...spinach, tomatoes, boiled eggs, avocado. Or sliced tomatoes with romaine lettuce.

 

[Recidiva]

What they did in Spain was fry chicken wings as a side, and use boned chicken in the paella.

Yeah. I need to give that some thought about possibly preparing the components separately. A nice tamarind-based marinade would go well.

 

[Aphro]

Skip the veggies and make a decent salad. Like...spinach, tomatoes, boiled eggs, avocado. Or sliced tomatoes with romaine lettuce.

Oh yum, I'd just eat the salad. Well, and pick the shrimp out of the paella.

 

[Recidiva]

Skip the veggies and make a decent salad. Like...spinach, tomatoes, boiled eggs, avocado. Or sliced tomatoes with romaine lettuce.

That's one of my favorite salads, spinach and boiled eggs with...mooshed up Wheat Thins. Funny what leftovers and experimentation produce.

No croutons? No problem.

 

[Recidiva]

Oh yum, I'd just eat the salad. Well, and pick the shrimp out of the paella.

Yeah, even the smell of shrimp makes Ulaven want to flee. I'm the same way about bell peppers. So it really might be a "prepare separately" thing and then mix and match.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Oh yum, I'd just eat the salad. Well, and pick the shrimp out of the paella.

I just planted spinach. I eat lotsa salads as I grow my own ice berg, romaine, and spinach.

Use scallops or clams or oysters or whatever in lieu of shrimp

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

That's one of my favorite salads, spinach and boiled eggs with...mooshed up Wheat Thins. Funny what leftovers and experimentation produce.

No croutons? No problem.

I don't like croutons but I don't hate them either.

I need to turn you ladies ON to Greek Salad.

Turtle Steaks and Greek Salad are great

 

[Aphro]

Oh, no no...I LOVE shrimp. Well, any seafood, really. I just find rice filling, and wouldn't want to waste too much stomach space on it.

Will this paella be spicy?

(I'm getting hungry now...)

I don't do ethnic cuisine, however, I make a very awesome roast beef with mashed potatoes and yorkshire pudding if anyone is interested in that.

 

[Recidiva]

I just planted spinach. I eat lotsa salads as I grow my own ice berg, romaine, and spinach.

Use scallops or clams or oysters or whatever in lieu of shrimp

Raw spinach or arugula to garnish a paella and fold in might give a nice hit of bitter contrast.

 

[warrior queen]

I've got a paella recipe somewhere that has about 10 variations listed.
I also have a recipe that uses barley instead of rice - super yum!

Risotto is my devil-dish
I simply cannot make a perfect risotto. Tried many times..... and failed.
There's always something that takes over, flavour-wise.
I'm giving up trying.

 

[Recidiva]

I don't like croutons but I don't hate them either.

I need to turn you ladies ON to Greek Salad.

Turtle Steaks and Greek Salad are great

I'm not a fan of feta cheese, but Ulaven is. He loves Greek salads. We had a wonderful Greek restaurant in Orlando and a good all-around diner here that does amazing Greek food. I can make my own gyro meat and that usually is good enough for me. But it's also really nice just to be able to go order one on a whim and not plan a week ahead.

I make a great tzatziki. I don't make my own pita, but I can get some good stuff at the store.