Jul 14 2026
RestaurantsLa CucharaPaella Recipe

Paella Recipe

Inspired by La Cuchara
Time45m
Serves4

Traditional Spanish rice dish with seafood and saffron.

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Ingredients

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Seafood

Rice and Spices

Vegetables and Broth

Garnish

Method

Preparation

  1. 1

    Prepare the Broth

    In a small saucepan, heat the chicken or seafood broth and add the saffron threads. Let it simmer on low heat to infuse the flavor.

  2. 2

    Prep the Seafood

    Clean and prepare the shrimp, mussels, and calamari. Set aside in the refrigerator until needed.

Cooking

  1. 3

    Sauté the Vegetables

    In a large paella pan or a wide skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.

  2. 4

    Add Garlic and Peppers

    Stir in the minced garlic and diced red bell pepper, cooking for another 3-4 minutes until softened.

  3. 5

    Add Rice and Spices

    Add the Bomba or Arborio rice to the pan, stirring to coat the rice with the oil and vegetables. Sprinkle in the smoked paprika and salt, mixing well.

  4. 6

    Pour in the Broth

    Pour the saffron-infused broth into the pan, stirring gently to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer.

  5. 7

    Cook the Rice

    Allow the rice to cook uncovered for about 15-20 minutes without stirring, until most of the liquid has been absorbed.

  6. 8

    Add the Seafood

    Gently nestle the shrimp, mussels, and calamari into the rice. Cover the pan with a lid or aluminum foil and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes until the seafood is cooked through and the mussels have opened.

Serving

  1. 9

    Garnish and Serve

    Remove from heat and let the paella sit for 5 minutes. Garnish with lemon wedges and chopped parsley before serving.

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