Barcelona Style Rice Recipes

RISOTTO-STYLE STRAWBERRY RICE PUDDING

Steps:

• Cut strawberries into medium-size dice. In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, add strawberries, 1/4 cup sugar, and lemon juice. Cook until berries are soft and the juices have thickened slightly, about 10 to 15 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• Heat the milk in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat until it starts to steam. Remove one cup of milk, set it aside, and keep it warm. Stir into the larger pan of milk the remaining sugar, the vanilla bean and seeds, and the rice. Lower heat and cook, stirring constantly, until the rice is tender, about 20 minutes. Add the reserved milk, lemon zest, butter, and salt. Stir well and remove from the heat. This should have a more liquid consistency than regular risotto.
• To serve, layer rice pudding and strawberry mixture in tall clear glasses. Chill.

BROWN SPANISH RICE

Steps:

• Bring chicken broth, tomatoes, and salt to a boil in a medium saucepan; add rice. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until rice is cooked and liquid is absorbed, about 1 hour. Stir before serving.

SPANISH RICE ORIGINAL

Steps:

• Bring chicken broth and tomato sauce to a boil in a small saucepan, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium and maintain a simmer while preparing the remaining ingredients.
• Meanwhile, place bacon in a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving bacon grease in the skillet. Chop bacon.
• Cook and stir onion in reserved bacon grease over medium heat until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in rice; cook and stir until lightly browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Pour boiling chicken broth and tomato sauce into rice mixture; add diced tomatoes, green peppers, and chopped bacon. Season with chili powder, salt, and pepper. Cover and simmer until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed, 30 to 40 minutes. Stir black olives and corn into rice mixture before serving.

BARCELONA-STYLE RICE

Steps:

• Rinse the chicken pieces and pat dry. Mix the oregano and paprika with some salt and pepper in a small bowl. Rub the spice mixture all over the chicken and stick it in the refrigerator to marinate for 30 minutes.
• Heat the oil in a paella pan or wide shallow skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is beginning to smoke, add the chicken, skin side down, and brown all over, turning with tongs. Add the chorizo and continue to cook until the oil is a vibrant red color. Remove the chicken and sausage to a platter lined with paper towels.
• Return the pan to the stove and lower the heat to medium. Now make a sofrito by sautéing the garlic and onion in the oil that remains in the pan for 7 to 10 minutes, until they begin to brown. Add the tomatoes and cook it all down until the mixture caramelizes a bit and the flavors meld. Season with salt and pepper. Fold in the rice, stirring to coat the grains. Stir in the saffron. Pour in 3 cups warm water and simmer for 10 minutes, gently moving the pan around so the rice cooks evenly and absorbs the liquid. Do not cover or stir constantly as you would a risotto.
• Add the shrimp, lobster, clams, and the reserved chicken and chorizo. Give the paella a couple of good stirs to tuck all the pieces in there, then just let it simmer, without stirring, until the rice is al dente, about 15 minutes. Scatter the peas on top and continue to cook for 5 more minutes, until the paella looks fluffy and moist. (The ideal paella has a toasted rice bottom called socarrat.) Then let it rest off the heat for 5 minutes. Garnish with parsley and serve with lemon wedges.