Al Andalus Paella Recipes

PAELLA

Steps:

• Spritz 4 to 5 pieces of newspaper with vegetable oil and put in the bottom of a charcoal chimney starter. Fill the chimney with half of the charcoal and light the newspaper.
• When the charcoal is lightly covered with gray ash, carefully pour onto the bottom grate of a kettle grill and spread evenly. Top with the remaining unlit charcoal, spreading evenly so as not to suffocate the lit charcoal. Set the second grate in the kettle and cover until ready to cook.
• Meanwhile, halve the tomatoes and remove the seeds to a fine mesh strainer set over a small bowl to catch the juice. Grate the seeded halves on the large hole side of a box grater and discard the skins. Combine the reserved juice and grated tomato and set aside.
• Warm the chicken broth in a kettle or 4-quart saucepan over high heat until it reaches 200 degrees F. Remove the broth from the heat and cover to keep warm.
• Combine the rice, saffron, rosemary, 1 teaspoon of the salt, and paprika in a small mixing bowl.
• Heat the olive oil in the paella pan on the prepared grill. Season the chicken on all sides with the remaining 2 teaspoons of salt. Once the olive oil shimmers, add the chicken and cook until golden brown on both sides, approximately 5 to 6 minutes per side. Move the chicken to the outer edges of the pan. Add the green beans, red bell pepper, green bell pepper and garlic to the center of the pan and cook until they begin to soften and darken in color, approximately 2 to 3 minutes. Add the tomatoes and their juice and cook until most of the liquid has dissipated and the tomatoes thicken and darken, approximately 4 to 5 minutes.
• Add the rice mixture to the center of the pan and cook, stirring constantly for 1 minute.
• Redistribute the chicken pieces on top of the rice. Add 4 cups of the warm chicken broth and stir to distribute the rice evenly in the pan, making sure that all rice is completely submerged in liquid. From this point forward do not stir the paella. After 8 to 9 minutes, when all of the liquid is absorbed and the rice appears dry, add an additional 4 cups of broth. Continue to cook without stirring, until the liquid is absorbed, about 8 to 9 minutes. The rice should be firm to the bite and the grains have a tiny white dot in the center. Add the remaining cup of broth as needed, until the rice is cooked through. Watch the fire to make sure it is heating evenly and adjust the pan to prevent uneven cooking.
• Remove the pan from the heat, cover with a tea towel and rest for 15 minutes before serving.

AL ANDALUS PAELLA

Steps:

• Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper. Add 1 tbsp oil to each of two 12-14 inch skillets or paella pans set over medium-high heat. When oil is hot, add half of the chicken thighs to each pan and brown on both sides, 15-20 minute Transfer to platter.
• While the chicken is browning, toast the saffron threads in a 2 qt saucepan. Remove from heat and crush the threads with the back of a spoon. Add 1/2 cup chicken broth and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Remove from heat and let steep for 10 minutes. Add 5 1/2 cups additional broth to the saffron infusion and bring to a simmer, hold until needed over low heat.
• If using turmeric instead of the saffron threads, pour 6 cups chicken broth into a 2 qt sauce pan, add the turmeric, and bring to a simmer, hold until needed over low heat.
• Divide the green beans and artichoke hearts between the two pans and saute for 5-6 minutes. Transfer beans and hearts to the platter with the chicken.
• Remove all but 1 tbsp of fat from each pan and divide the onion and garlic between the pans. Saute until the onion is translucent. Divide the pepper flakes and the smoked paprika between the two pans and saute for 30-60 seconds. Add the tomatoes between both pans and saute until the liquid from the tomatoes has evaporated and the mixture is thickened, about 5-7 minutes more.
• Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups of rice over the onion mixture in each pan. Pour 3 cups of the hot broth evenly over each pan of rice, then arrange the chorizo, green beans and artichoke hearts on the rice. Nestle the chicken thighs into both pans and bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat and simmer rapidly until the rice appears on the surface of the mixtures, about 5-6 minutes. Arrange the roasted red pepper slices over both pans. Divide the shrimp between both pans and push the shrimp down into the rice.
• Continue simmering until all the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is al dente, another 8-10 minutes. If all the liquid has been absorbed but the rice is not done, add a little more broth and cook a few minutes more.
• Cover the pans with aluminum foil and cook gently for another 2 minutes to ensure that the top layer of rice is cooked evenly. With the pans still covered, raise the heat to medium high and cook until the bottom layer of rice begins to brown. You may hear rice crackling, which is normal, but if the rice begins to burn, remove the pans from the heat immediately.
• Check the chicken for doneness. Sprinkle the peas over each pan and let stand, covered, for 5-10 minutes.
• While the paella is standing, bring the remaining chicken broth (or water if you used all of the broth earlier) to a boil in a medium saucepan and add the clams or mussels. Cover and simmer for 3-4 minutes or until the clams/mussels have opened. Arrange the opened clams/mussels over each pan of paella, discarding any that did not open. Serve directly from the pan with wedges of lemon to squeeze over the rice.

THE ULTIMATE PAELLA

Steps:

• Combine the paprika and oregano in a small bowl. Rub the spice mix all over the chicken and marinate chicken for 1 hour in the refrigerator.
• Heat oil in a paella pan over medium-high heat. Saute the chorizo until browned, remove and reserve. Add chicken skin-side down and brown on all sides, turning with tongs. Add salt and freshly ground pepper. Remove from pan and reserve.
• In the same pan, make a sofrito by sauteing the onions, garlic, and parsley. Cook for 2 or 3 minutes on a medium heat. Then, add tomatoes and cook until the mixture caramelizes a bit and the flavors meld. Fold in the rice and stir-fry to coat the grains. Pour in water and simmer for 10 minutes, gently moving the pan around so the rice cooks evenly and absorbs the liquid. Add chicken, chorizo, and saffron. Add the clams and shrimp, tucking them into the rice. The shrimp will take about 8 minutes to cook. Give the paella a good shake and let it simmer, without stirring, until the rice is al dente, for about 15 minutes. During the last 5 minutes of cooking, when the rice is filling the pan, add the lobster tails. When the paella is cooked and the rice looks fluffy and moist, turn the heat up for 40 seconds until you can smell the rice toast at the bottom, then it's perfect.
• Remove from heat and rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with peas, parsley and lemon wedges.

FREEKEH PAELLA WITH CLAMS AND ALMOND AIOLI

Steps:

• Almond aioli:
• Preheat oven to 350°. Toast almonds on a rimmed baking sheet, tossing once, until golden brown, 5-8 minutes. Let cool.
• Pulse almonds and garlic in a food processor or blender until finely ground. With motor running, gradually stream in oil, lemon juice, then 1/4 cup water; process, adding water as needed, until aioli is light, smooth, and consistency of mayonnaise; season with salt. Cover; chill.
• Do ahead: Aioli can be made 1 day ahead. Keep chilled.
• Paella:
• Pulse onions in a food processor until finely chopped; transfer to a large bowl. Repeat, separately, with carrots, garlic, and chile, adding to bowl with onions as you go. Pulse chorizo in food processor until finely ground.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium and cook chorizo, stirring often, until crisp, about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer chorizo to a plate.
• Add vegetables and bay leaf to skillet; season with salt. Cook, stirring often, until moisture is evaporated and vegetables have started to brown, 12-15 minutes; this is your flavor base.
• Add freekeh and cook, stirring, until lightly toasted and fragrant, about 3 minutes. Add tomato paste and cook, stirring, until darkened in color, about 2 minutes. Stir in chorizo and 4 1/2 cups water; season with salt. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook, adding more water if liquid evaporates too quickly, until grains are al dente and almost all liquid is absorbed, 45-50 minutes. Nestle clams in freekeh and cover skillet. Cook until clams open, 7-10 minutes; discard any that don't open, along with bay leaf. Increase heat to medium-high and cook until clam juices evaporate and freekeh is tender, about 5 minutes.
• Top with pickled peppers and parsley; serve with aioli and lemon wedges.

EASY PAELLA

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, mix together 2 tablespoons olive oil, paprika, oregano, and salt and pepper. Stir in chicken pieces to coat. Cover, and refrigerate.
• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet or paella pan over medium heat. Stir in garlic, red pepper flakes, and rice. Cook, stirring, to coat rice with oil, about 3 minutes. Stir in saffron threads, bay leaf, parsley, chicken stock, and lemon zest. Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce heat to medium low. Simmer 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a separate skillet over medium heat. Stir in marinated chicken and onion; cook 5 minutes. Stir in bell pepper and sausage; cook 5 minutes. Stir in shrimp; cook, turning the shrimp, until both sides are pink.
• Spread rice mixture onto a serving tray. Top with meat and seafood mixture.