The best paella I have ever had was on the Costa Brava about 20km north of Barcelona when I was ambling around Europe in my motor-home during a former life. Anyway, an ex-girlfriend, Louise, came to stay with me for 2 weeks… we did a lot of toddling around but she wanted the beach so she got El Masnou and on their beach we got a fabulous paella in a little hut (a Chiringuito) that took a long time to cook, about a bottle of good red wine long which wasn’t so bad as we had another with the paella. It was fabulous and cheap too…
Apparently, La Pepica has been serving paella in Valencia (the home of paella) since 1898. I’ve never been but I bet the Chiringuito at El Masnou can give them a run for their money.
Here’s an Andalucían recipe for paella, its use of rabbit and pork is typical of the region.
♫ ♪ ♫ “If I have half a chance I’ll grab it, rabbit run.” ♪ ♫♪ ♫ Eminem
Paella de Conejo y carne de Cerdo con alcachofa – Rabbit & Pork Paella with artichokes
This serves a good 4 portions so your paella pan needs to be at least 34cm
1 small rabbit or half a large one, skinned, jointed and cut into small pieces
¼ kg tender pork cut into irregular shaped chunks
Several cloves of garlic, peeled and chopped
300g paella rice
2 litres hot good chicken stock
1 red pepper diced
1 green pepper diced
Onion finely sliced
3 ripe tomatoes diced
Good pinch saffron (add to a little hot water to extract the colour)
One tablespoon hot sweet paprika
3 medium sized artichokes
Salt & ground black pepper to season
Thyme & rosemary fresh or dried at a push
Dessert spoon of tomato puree
Glass white wine, drink the rest of the bottle which is the chef’s privilege
Lemons, juice from 2 of them
Sprinkle the rabbit and pork with a little salt; add crushed garlic, lemon juice, seasoning, herbs, and place covered in the fridge overnight to marinate.
Pour a good glug of extra virgin olive oil into a paella pan then brown the meat – move browned meat to side of the pan.
Prepare the artichokes by peeling off the exterior leaves and cut the hearts into quarters, sprinkle with lemon juice to stop them discolouring.
Gently cook on a medium heat the peppers and onions until soft.
Add tomatoes cooking until reduced slightly before adding the artichokes and garlic cooking for another 5 minutes, add all the herbs and saffron and paprika plus the tomato paste and a glass of white wine and stir well.
Add the paella rice. For every one cup of rice you need three or four of stock.
When all the rice is added, mix well and cook for a few minutes until it becomes translucent, then add the stock – one cup at a time, and fill the paella pan with stock up to the middle of the rivets of the handles at the top of the pan.
Stir ONCE very well. Lower heat to gently cook for 20 minutes or so or until the stock is absorbed, but keeping an eye making sure the paella doesn’t burn on the bottom.
Remove from heat when done and allow it to rest for 5 minutes.
Serve with fresh lemon wedges.
This recipe was very kindly supplied by my Madrilenian friend, Janie of Arc. She says the art is not to burn it. And that’s where we differ because if the bottom layer of rice yields a golden caramelised crust, called socarrat, then you know you’ve reached the pinnacle of paella godliness when this has happened. Janie of Arc is an ex friend these days as she fell out with me over socorrat.
And by the way paella comes from the name of the pan it is made in, the Latin term patella, a flat plate on which offerings were made to the Gods. So now you know.
Health note: Artichokes contain more antioxidants than red wine.
You can’t beat a good Paella, the socarrat is the best bit, we look forward to you cooking us one next time we see you Phil !
The explanation on this recipe is looking detailed and accurate. I can’t wait to try this one. It sounds delicious.
Like always, lots of details and very precise recipe, not to mention the little story to introduce it. If 1 day I attempt to make a paella I’m gonna try THIS recipe cos’ it really seems delicious ..
Hello mAnU, the crispy, caremalised, delicate part at the base is called Socarrat which in Spanish means singed… (I am sure you may know that) and that’s the important part – it must not be burnt! Try it and let me know how you get on.
will do ..