Seafood Rice Recipe

Prepare the Seafood

In a bowl, combine the shrimp, mussels, and calamari. Season lightly with salt and pepper, and set aside.

Prepare the Vegetables

Chop the onion, bell pepper, and tomato. Mince the garlic and set all vegetables aside for later use.

Sauté the Aromatics

In a large skillet or saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, sautéing until translucent (about 3-4 minutes).

Add Bell Pepper and Tomato

Stir in the chopped bell pepper and diced tomato, cooking for another 3-4 minutes until the vegetables soften.

Toast the Rice

Add the long-grain rice to the skillet. Stir well to coat the rice with the vegetable mixture and toast for about 2 minutes.

Add Broth and Seasonings

Pour in the chicken or seafood broth, and add paprika, saffron (if using), salt, and black pepper. Bring to a boil.

Incorporate Seafood

Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, add the seafood mixture, and gently stir to mix. Cover the skillet and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes until the rice is cooked and has absorbed most of the liquid.

Finish with Peas

Add the peas during the last 5 minutes of cooking. Check for seasoning and adjust salt and pepper as needed.

Serve the Dish

Remove the skillet from heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork, serve warm with lemon wedges on the side.