Saturday, January 19, 2013

Paella

You will need:
8 Chicken Thighs
1-2 Chorizo
12 Littleneck Clams
18 Large Shrimp, Tails On
Paprika
Salt and Pepper
Olive Oil
1 28oz. Can Whole, Peeled Tomatoes
1 Spanish Onion
6 Cloves Garlic
2 Cups Rice
6 Cups Room Temperature Water
Garlic Salt
1/2 Box Frozen Peas
1 Large Lemon
-Makes about 8 servings-

Directions:

- In a large zip-top baggie, combine the chicken in paprika, salt, pepper, and garlic salt. Make sure all of the chicken is coated.
- Put in refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- In large paella pan coated in olive oil, combine the chicken and the chorizo, cut into slices. Cover and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes.
- Turn the chicken and cook for another 10-12 minutes, uncovered. Chicken will look brown and the oil will have turned a beautiful red. 
- Remove the meat to a plate. (or 2)
- Hand-squeeze the tomatoes from the can so they are almost like stewed tomatoes, and add them to the red olive oil. Throw the liquid in the can away. It's nasty.
- Dice the onions and mince the garlic, and add them in.
- Cook over low heat until it is like a sauce. 
- Add the rice and the water. cook over medium heat for about 15 minutes.
- Add the chicken and chorizo back in. (The water will not all be sucked up yet.)
- Fold in the clams and shrimp as well.
- Cook for about 8 minutes.
- Add the peas, cover, and cook for about 8 more minutes. Do not stir too much (you want some nice browned rice at the bottom), only turn it all every few minutes. If you are like me and need a larger paella pan, this part can be a little difficult. Just be gentle, so as to spill as little as possible!! 
- When the paella is nice and fluffy, it is done. The clams will have popped open, and the shrimp will be pink.
- Serve with lemon wedges. Paella is SO GOOD with lemon juice all over it!!
- Enjoy!! :)