Skip Nav
Hot Lunch Recipes
Recipes
41 Easy Work Lunches That Aren't Salads or Sandwiches
The Best Avocado Toast Recipes
Fast and Easy
20 Reasons Avocado Toast Is the Sexiest Snack on the Planet
Vegetarian Casserole Recipes
Recipes
Feed a Crowd With One of These Comforting Vegetarian Casseroles
View On One Page
ADVERTISEMENT ()
Start Slideshow

A couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure of learning how to make an authentic Spanish rice with seafood. According to my instructor, Enrique, the term paella generally refers to rice prepared in the style typical to Valencia. Since the rice seen here was made in Puerto de Santa Maria, a province of the Southern Spanish city, Cadiz, I'm calling it a paella gaditano. To take a look at how I made this incredibly delicious rice, click the "Start" button.

Any sort of Spanish rice begins with the sofrito, a base of vegetables that seasons the dish. Our sofrito consisted of onions, garlic, and green and red bell peppers. These veggies are sauteed in a good amount of olive oil until soft, tender, and slightly browned.
While the sofrito cooks, make a caldo, or fish broth. Cover shrimp heads with water, bring to a boil, and simmer.
Once the sofrito has had plenty of time to cook, mushrooms are added to the pan.
Next, the fish and seasonings are added. We used white fish and choco, a calamari-like fish that's incredibly popular in Cadiz. Pimenton, a spicy Spanish paprika, gives the paella its color.
When the fish is cooked through, fresh, peeled tomatoes are added to the pan. It's important to season the paella with salt once the tomatoes are added.
Strain the broth and add to the pan. Bring the entire dish to a simmer and cook, letting the flavors meld.
It's time to add the rice. Although not required, we stired the rice while it cooked like you do when making risotto. This makes for a fuller, more flavorful rice grain. The rice takes 25-40 minutes to cook.
The quick-cooking shrimp are the last ingredient to be added to the paella. Stir into the rice to ensure that the shrimp pick up all of the flavors.
The final step in making paella is to let the rice rest. Remove from heat, cover, and let sit for 10-15 minutes.
Finally the rice is ready to enjoy! We served ours with lemon wedges, crusty bread, and verdejo, a white Spanish wine varietal.
Start Slideshow
Join the conversation
CadizSeafoodPaellaRiceSpanishRecipesHow ToTips
From Our Partners
America's Test Kitchen Burger Recipe
Grilling
You'll Never Buy Ground Beef Again Once You Learn This Hack
by Anna Monette Roberts
Ree Drummond Casserole Recipes
Food Network
The Pioneer Woman's Most Popular Casseroles Will Inspire You to Cook
by Erin Cullum
Toddler Lunch Ideas
Toddlers
15 Delicious and Quick Meals to Pack in Your Toddler's Lunchbox Tomorrow
by Sara Cagle
Vegetarian Casserole Recipes
Recipes
Feed a Crowd With One of These Comforting Vegetarian Casseroles
by Nicole Perry
Spring Slow-Cooker Recipes
Spring
22 Recipes That Will Convince You to Use Your Slow Cooker All Spring Long
by Erin Cullum
The Best Avocado Toast Recipes
Fast and Easy
20 Reasons Avocado Toast Is the Sexiest Snack on the Planet
by Anna Monette Roberts
Breakfast For Dinner Recipes For Kids
Dinner
10 Breakfast-For-Dinner Recipes That You'll Dream About All Day Long
by Katharine Stahl
Shake Shake Burger Recipe | Video
Get the Dish
Hack Shake Shack's ShackBurger
by Brandi Milloy
Best Cocktail For Your Zodiac Sign
Recipes
The Perfect Cocktail For Your Zodiac Sign
by Erin Cullum
Healthy Dinner Ideas For Kids
Little Kids
25 Healthy Dinners For Kids That Will Make Them Actually Want to Set the Table
by Alicia Lu
Restaurant Copycat Recipes
Recipes
60+ Popular Restaurant Dishes — Hacked!
by Nicole Perry
Flatbread Recipes
Recipes
9 Flatbread Recipes That Might Even Rival Pizza
by Lucy Kenny
From Our Partners
Latest Recipes, Menus, Food & Wine
We're Hiring! Write For Us About Us Advertising Contact FAQ Archives
Power Your Happy Beauty by POPSUGAR POPSUGAR Must Have POPSUGAR Insights
Terms Privacy Policy
©2018 PopSugar • POPSUGAR Living
All the Latest From Ryan Reynolds