An easy paella made in an electric frying pan
My mind has been wandering to paella a lot lately so I’m relieved I finally got to make it. Packed with so many delicious flavours that I love, from the spicy chorizo, and smokey paprika to mixed seafood and lemon, it has to be the ultimate one-pan wonder of a dish.
There are also no strict rules here. You can adapt this to your own taste adding whatever you have lying around. This rustic Spanish dish was designed to feed people en masse but it also somehow has an air of sophistication to it. I find it an utterly impressive dinner party dish.
Disclaimer: This recipe is my adaptation of Spanish paella and apologies to any Spanish people if my recipe is not authentic.
The one thing you do need to have, and something I did not up until now, is a nice large pan with even heating. Even heating at different temperatures is even more impressive, and I used my new Breville non-stick electric frying pan. This pan is designed to saute, fry and steam, but as far as I’m concerned, it’s simply a perfect paella pan.
An array of gorgeous Breville appliances have moved into my house and we are becoming firm friends. So far It’s been a bit like driving a Maserati after years in a vintage VW, but I’m embracing this exquisite technology with much joy and gratitude. I will be working with the South African marketing team of this wonderful Australian brand for the next year.
A few notes on my ingredients.…….
I adore prawns but they are not sustainable and are super expensive, so I opted for an all SASSI green list array of fruits de mer. The mussels were caught locally and were alive and fresh when I got them from Oceanjewels earlier, and I used farmed Cob and local calamari.
Free-range chicken thigh fillets made up the meat portion along with delicious Spanish chorizo that was the perfect level of spice for me.
I just love how everything gets cooked together for optimal flavour transference. I like to saute the chorizo first to release its oils then set it aside and brown the chicken. I added very little extra olive oil and used a combination of fish and chicken stock. Try and use the best possible stock you can find, it makes a big difference with paella.
A few other recipes you mike like:
Chicken and rice pilaf with orange and spices
One-pot jerk chicken with spicy rice
Ingredients
- 2-3 T olive oil
- 2 pinch’s saffron soaked in two tablespoons of hot water
- 100 g chorizo finely sliced
- 280 g – 300g boneless skinless chicken thigh filets (8 thigh fillets)
- 350 – 400g white fish fillets cut into large chunks
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 1 red pepper cored and finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic crushed
- ½ glass of dry white wine
- 1 x 400g tin chopped peeled tomatoes
- 1 ½ t-smoked paprika
- ½ dried chilli flakes optional
- 500 g mussels in shell
- 200 g calamari cut into rings
- 500 g Arborio rice
- 1 – 1.2litres chicken / fish stock
- Handful parsley finely chopped
- Salt and pepper
- Lemon wedges to serve
Instructions
- Heat the stock in a separate pot and keep this warm on the stove
- Turn the Breville electric frying pan on 8 (medium high heat) and fry the chorizo sausage until the oils start to release, about 4 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Cut the filleted chicken thighs into large chunks (roughly quarters) and fry in the chorizo oil until they just start browning on the outside. Do not cook through. Remove and set aside.
- Add a tablespoon of olive oil if necessary and fry the fish fillet pieces very quickly to seal. Remove and set aside.
- Add another 1 - 2 tablespoons of olive oil and fry the onion and red pepper until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the crushed garlic, tomatoes, saffron in water and wine, allowing this to reduce and thicken slightly.
- Add the Arborio rice and stir to coat. Cover with about 800ml of the stock, spread it out evenly and then let this simmer gently with the lid on at temperature mark 4 – 6 (alternating) for 10 - 12 minutes. Try not to stir too much. If it looks like its drying out, add a little more stock.
- Remove the lid, ensure there is still some liquid, and add the calamari, fish, chicken and mussels to the paella, placing this evenly around. Push the mussels into the sauce. Close the lid and simmer gently for 5 – 7 minutes on between 4 and 6.
- Turn the electric frying pan off. Scatter over freshly chopped parsley and lemon wedges. Keep the lid on to stay warm.
* This post has been sponsored by Breville South Africa.
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Your paella looks mouthwatering and so aromatic!
I follow you since time ago but I never comment. But today I saw your paella and as I’m spanish… I decided to leave a comment 🙂
It looks very good, the only thing is that paella never has chorizo in it. But the rest of ingredients are fine 😉
The paella looks incredible! Love the vibrant colours in your photography. Your site is a new inspiration for me, thank you so much for sharing!
Love the styling of this Sam and that Breville pan sounds like the perfect vessel to cook it in. Delicious!
Thanks Irene 🙂
Hi Aisha – yes I know that chorizo is not strictly traditional but I just LOVE it so much in paella. I hope you will forgive me.
best
Sam 🙂
Hi Sam… sure… no problem 😉
best regards! 🙂
Hi
I also LOVE paella with chorizo! Having been lucky enough to visit Barcelona a couple of times, I always spend time in the La Boqueira but have not been able to find Bomba rice (an authentic paella rice). Does anyone know where it can be sourced from in South Africa?
Great blog, Sam – enjoy your project with Breville!
Perfection! I can just imagine how amazing it tastes.
I’ve been checking out some of the Breville merchandise, thanks for the heads up.
Also, I am LOVING the bowl you used for the paella. Is it ceramic and was it made locally?
This looks sooo yummy! And beautiful pictures 🙂
Looks amazing! When does the saffron go in?
Hi Monique -ooo thanks – will go add that bit. With the tomatoes. Thanks
sam
Thnaks Sarah 🙂
HI Sune. The products are great it is literally like Christmas every day for me when I get a chance to play with them. The bowls and plate (front pic) are MUD. It is a South African range and I just love them. I think they are bazsed in Parys.
Thanks Marie. I am also interested to know where to get this rice. I know Giovanni’s in Green Point stocks a Paella rice – but it seems the same as arborio. I will chat to them when next Im there. I will also keep my eye out for it elsewhere.
Lolly pop – Im just loving this frying pan – so retro and SO non-stick. Even heating throughout. I just sauted a whole bunch of leeks and like butter. After cooking on gas – its nice to have an option.
yum this is a seriously good looking paella.. hands down one of the best ive seen in a while. definitely will be giving this recipe a go, looks TOO delicious!
Looks fabulous, will definatly try this, as is do try lots of your sharing – many thanks 🙂
My husband has a quick trip to S Africa next week, just wondering if your new book is out?
cheers
wendy in perth
HI Wendy, my book is only being published in March nect year. Hopefully you or your husband will pop back then.
sam
Thanks so much Thalia 🙂
OMG, please don’t add chorizo to paella this is not a pizza.
Ups, sorry just read the comments, looks like you know it.
Anyway i guess it would taste good.
HI Jordi, I have a good Spanish friend and he said although its not traditional it is the kind of dish that is very flexible, people are always adding different things. I totally love chorizo with it and since its my recipe I can do whatever I want. Cheers, Sam 🙂
Hi
I am Muslim n in our butchers in south Africa I have never come across chorizo. What exactly is it n wat can I substitute it with.???
Hi Fatima – you can just leave it out.