Paella!

Paella is our family's absolute favorite dish.  Every year we cook it as a Spring Kick Off meal.  This year we just couldnt wait!  Although my sweet husband is pissed to the highest level of piss-tivity by this, I am going to share our recipe with you (that's what they're for!).  Besides, its my dish and I cook it.

Paella is originally from Valencia, Spain (our most favorite place in the entire world) but is popular in most Spanish-speaking countries.  It is easy, but does take a bit of prep time.  I will tell you it is well worth the effort.  This dish is so flavorful it makes my mouth water whenever I even think about it.

Ingredients:
Pinch Blackened Redfish seasoning.
1 Tbsp olive oil
2 cups long grain rice
1 tsp Saffron
1 can chicken broth
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
5 small tomatoes diced
1 small red onion diced
1 capsicum diced (red pepper)
1 yellow pepper diced
1 jalepeno pepper chopped (optional)
1/2 cup fresh peas (you can substitute chopped asparagus)
5 chicken tenders cubed (or 2 boneless, skinless breasts cubed)
1 cup smoked sausage sliced
1 cup shrimp, peeled and de-veined
2 tsp lemon zest, divided
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Mix saffron with 1 cup hot water and set aside.
Sprinkle blackened redfish seasoning and 1 tsp lemon zest over chicken.
Cook your chicken in the olive oil in paella pan on the stove.  When fully cooked, add sausage. Cook on medium heat for 5-7 minutes.
Add mushrooms, stir on medium heat for 3-5 minutes.
Add peppers, tomatoes, peas and onion.  Stir on medium heat for 5 minutes.
Add rice and stir, cover and set on simmer.  Pour can of chicken broth in along with 1 cup water/saffron mixture. Stir.
Cover and let simmer for approx. 20 minutes or until rice is done.
Add cilantro, 1 tsp lemon zest and shrimp.  Cover and let simmer 3-5 minutes or until shrimp is done.

Stir and serve with a warm baguette.

Dont forget the hot sauce!!!!

We have tried several versions of Paella from different cookbooks and celebrity chefs, this one is a little something from all of them.  I hope you and your family enjoy this dish as much as we do.  We had fun tweaking it, preparing it, and eating it together!!!  Even the kids can help.

Cheers!

W.A.'s Momma