Paella, pronounced “pay-EH-yah,” is a beloved rice dish native to the Valencian location of Eastern Spain. The Valencian phrase “paella” indicates “pan” as it’s traditionally cooked in a extensive shallow pan above an open up fireplace. Contemporary working day cooking enables for paella to be manufactured in most any pan around a stove. The truth that it is a a person-pan fast food is element of the rationale I fell in love with the dish.
Regular paella is made up of a few most important substances: a protein, short grain white rice and saffron. The protein can be most nearly anything, such as rooster, shrimp, or beans, all of which are low fats possibilities. Chorizo, a Spanish sausage, may perhaps be used, but it is significant in saturated fats and sodium. Bomba rice is generally utilised in paella but can be tricky to come across. You may well substitute arborio rice, but neither one particular is a entire grain. To get a lot more nutrition, pick full grain rice alternatives, such as brown rice or wild rice. Saffron is a spice derived from the flower of Crocus sativus. It’s the costliest of all spices, and when I seemed for it in the keep it was $19 for a small container. Although some say it’s not paella without the need of saffron, I say, “tell that to my bank account!” Instead than splurging, I decide to use turmeric, a realistic substitute. Paella is a quite adaptable dish it can be created much healthier with the addition of veggies, these types of as peas and bell peppers, and the effortless substitutes already talked about.
2 Tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon ground turmeric
¼ teaspoon pink pepper flakes
1 ½ cups unsalted hen inventory
1 lb. peeled and deveined uncooked frozen shrimp, thawed
Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Warmth oil in a huge sauté pan about medium warmth. Add onion and prepare dinner for 3 minutes. Incorporate garlic and prepare dinner for 30 seconds. Stir in tomato paste and seasonings. Stir in rice, hen inventory, and peas. Spot shrimp on top rated. Bring to a boil, lessen warmth, deal with, and simmer for 5-10 minutes until eventually shrimp is no for a longer period translucent and rice is tender. Remove lid and let sit 5 minutes permitting h2o to evaporate. Sprinkle with chopped parsley.
Nourishment Info (for each serving): 220 energy, 4 grams excess fat, 310 milligrams sodium, 27 grams carbohydrate, 2 grams fiber, 20 grams protein
Smith is diet and wellness educator for the University of Illinois Extension, McLean County. Call her at 309-663-8306.