Monday 8 October 2007

A Pea Packed Paella

A Pea Packed Paella
Feeds 4-6

300g long grain rice
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves of garlic, chopped
1 red and 1 green pepper, chopped into large chunks
3 large tomatoes, chopped roughly
2 chicken breasts, sliced into small lengths
1 medium chorizo sausage into small chunks
A large pinch of saffron
2 tspns smoked paprika
A pinch of chilli powder
A bag of frozen prawns, defrosted
As many frozen peas as you can handle
Fresh basil and parsley
Lemon juice (optional)
Freshly ground pepper

1 - In a large pan, heat the olive oil then add the chicken and quickly brown all over. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
2 - Add the onion, peppers and chorizo to the pan and stir fry for 5 minutes until starting to soften and colour.
3 - Add the tomatoes, saffron, paprika, chilli and rice and stir for 1 minute. Then return the chicken and pour on boiling water to just cover the rice.
4 - Bring to the boil then put a lid on and simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring gently from time to time to ensure that the rice is cooking evenly. You mya need to keep topping up with water.
5 - For the final 5 minutes, add the prawns and peas and heat through thoroughly. Taste for seasoning, then add the optional lemon juice.
6 - Serve in bowls with a good scattering of fresh herbs and a slice of lemon.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is fantastic David. Freddie and I are very honoured...
A pea-ella is a great idea.
Thank you so much
Charlotte
x

Figs, Bay, Wine said...

Fabulous, fabulous paella David! I was unbelievably picky when I was small too. All I'd eat as a baby were frozen peas and sections of the Wall Street Journal, much to my father's chagrin ;) Now, of course, I'll eat just about anything, but the pea remains one of my favorites. And it looks like Charlotte's worked her magic again - Freddie is a brave little soldier indeed!

Anonymous said...

There was a time when my little brother would eat only peas, carrots or marmite and crisp (Salt and Vinegar) sandwiches. Thankfully his tastes have matured and he even eats gravy now!

The Paella looks absolutely amazing, consider it bookmarked for when I'm next feeling a bit spanish!

KellytheCulinarian said...

I didn't like peas as a child either -- they were always served in cafeteria lunches and cooked poorly. I've come around, though.

Lynda said...

oh peas glorious peas..peas porrdige hot peas porridge cold... I adore peas.. my kids have been seduced over the years.. and neither will deny the elegance of a nice seared piece of salmon and some pea puree (of course it is the butter and cream they adore)

you are a legend... I can't wait to try this lot!

Cynthia said...

So I've seen what Amanda and Charlotte have made and now yours - I think it might be difficult for Freddie not to like peas with all these variations. Love your Pea'ella

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

I have always thought Charlotte had a real winner there with The Great Veggie Challenge. It makes me wish that my daughter was little again and not 20.I must have done something right though because she loves veggies!!!Her favourite food has been spanakopita from the age of 2..so perhaps it is in the palate as well. Plus she was an only child so no one was around to tell her otherwise!!Now she is taking Foods and Sciences at university to become a nutritionist.

Pixie said...

Great looking paella, so what rice would you say is the best to use? Should I be searching for a Valencian rice? Seems to be my main problem with this dish!

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