Simple One-Pot Mixed Paella
It’s official, I’ve got a serious case of “Spain brain.”
You know — when you’re so excited for your summer trip to Spain that you can’t focus on anything else, including studying for finals.
Yeah, it’s pretty bad. Here I am trying to memorize the diagnostic criteria for Malnutrition and all I can think about is what I’m going to eat on my pilgrimage to Santiago (tons of paella).
If you’re confused because two weeks ago I mentioned I’m going to Italy, let me clarify.
In a month, I’m headed to Genoa for a 3-week course on Genes and Longevity as a part of my master’s nutrition program (it sounds glam but I’ve heard it’s grueling). After which, I’m headed to Barcelona, San Sebastian, Santiago, and Madrid on holiday (as the jet-setters call it).
I can barely contain my excitement. Spain has always been at the top of my travel list. I even tried to coerce my bridal party to take the bachelorette to Ibiza last year (that idea was quickly shut down by both my friends and then-fiancé).
But the time has finally come, and I am doing everything I can to savor this experience, namely by starting the fun now.
Manchego (a Spanish cheese, sorta like Parmesan) is prominently at the top of my grocery list, Cava (Spanish bubbly) is stocked in the mini bar, and I just downloaded Don Quixote on my kindle. Oh yeah, this is happening.
Best of all, I made my first successful batch of Paella.
Oh paella, I love it so. Anytime it’s on a menu, it’s going in my belly.
Aside from this recent delicious creation, I tried making paella once for a large group of friends on New Year’s Eve, and it was nothing short of a disaster — but that’s a story for another time.
This batch came out perfecto.
I was actually quite nervous to try it again after the catastrophe of December 31st, 2011, but I threw caution to the wind and went for it.
The process couldn’t have been simpler. This dish came together seamlessly, in under an hour, and with one pot, the clean up was a breeze.
Not only was it easy, it was also a hit with the fam. My mom and sister (who rarely likes anything I cook) were visting when I made it, and they both loved it.
As I sit here writing this post, my mom is actually in Tucson making the recipe for my Dad — I’ll get the verdict from him tomorrow.
Hopefully my mom doesn’t tell him how healthy it is before serving it, or he may be swayed.
I’ll tell you though. It’s super healthy — packed with veggies like asparagus, peppers, peas and artichokes, and overflowing with hearty grains and lean protein.
Not to toot my own horn, but if the paella in Spain is this delicious and nutritious, I might not come back.
- 1 T. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- ½ lb Chicken, cubed
- 1 Onion, diced
- 2 Cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 Green Bell Pepper
- 1 Red Bell Pepper
- 1 C. Rice (Arborio, Bomba, Brown, White, Etc)
- 2 C. Chicken Stock
- 1 C. Diced Tomatoes
- 1 C. Frozen Peas
- ½ tsp. Safron
- Salt and Pepper
- 1 can Artichoke Hearts
- 1 C. Asparagus, chopped
- ½ lb Shrimp, raw (tail-on)
- Manchego Cheese
- Parsley
- Lemon Wedges
- Heat a large heavy pan over medium. Add olive oil. Once oil is warm, add chicken. Cook until browned, about 5-8 minutes. Remove from pan and set aside.
- Add onion and garlic to pan. Saute for 1-2 minutes.
- Add peppers, continue to cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Add rice, stir. Cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Add stock, tomatoes, and peas. Stir together, bring to a simmer.
- Add saffron, salt, pepper, artichoke, and asparagus. Return chicken to the pan.
- Stir everything together and cover. Simmer for 20 minutes.
- Uncover the pan and add the shrimp. Cook for about 5 more minutes, stirring continuously, until shrimp is pink.
- Add any extra salt and pepper to taste.
- Garnish with manchego cheese, lemon wedges, and parsley.
And now that I’ve gotten my daily wanderlusting out of the way, I have to get back to reading my travel Medical Nutrition Therapy book.
Hope you enjoy the recipe as much as I do!
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner says:
the rest of my family would love that and looks easy too
Whitney English says:
So easy! And you could make it vegetarian too if you want!
Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment says:
Great recipe. Looks pretty easy to make. Good for dinner or a Sunday brunch. Thanks for sharing. xo Lauren
Whitney English says:
Thanks Lauren! It really is easy – I promise :)
Julia says:
I was very happy when I was enjoying with your last post. I am from Spain, exactly from Alicante, where the most typical food is paella, whatever, with whatever, I used to make with vegetables, also you can put some pickles, with meat or fish, my grandpa also cook it on fair, in the country, its different flavor totally…always is a good option.
Is very important, or the most important, have a good pan, the real pan, ” paella”, and if you have a “paellero” it will be better; The real cookers of paella cook it in a really big paella because they said that is better when is thin, even if after eat you still have hunger, better thin, as one finger size, you will have space for desserts ;)
I moved to LA like 5 month ago and I miss my “paellero”.
Enjoy with paella and propose you taste and mix different ingredients you are going to improve the flavor and you are going to enjoy a lot, I promise ;)
Whitney English says:
Thanks for the suggestions Julia! I would never have thought to add pickles. I love them so next time I’ll toss em in for sure!
Welcome to L.A. :) If you’re missing the flavors of home, I recommend Smoke. Oil. Salt on Melrose. I can’t speak to its authenticity since I haven’t been to Spain yet, but it’s delish! xoxo
Irene says:
Hi! Love your blog, always read every post religiously :)
Just one thing before you head off to Spain though, if you are doing the peregrination, you will not be eating paella. Just wanted to save you the disappoint, but yeah paella is a food from the Mediterranean area, and you are going to the North area, where the culture is a 360 from the South (I am from that Northen area so I should know :).
Have a good trip!
Whitney English says:
Thanks for the heads up Irene and for your support of the blog! Hopefully there will be other delicious options in the North. We will be on the Mediterranean when we’re in Barcelona though, so I’ll try to get my fix in there :)
Tara | Treble in the Kitchen says:
I feel ya on the “spain brain” although I’m not going to spain…but studying for finals is always a challenge!! I’ll be done at the start of next week. Hopefully you are done soon too! Good luck!
Whitney English says:
That’s awesome!! Congrats girl! Good luck on your finals as well :) xoxo
Patti Cakes says:
Thanks for the awesome recipe, Whitney! I made it last night and it is delicious!,
Whitney English says:
So glad you enjoyed it!! xo
Jessica @ Nutritioulicious says:
Omg, I am so excited for your travels! I was in Genoa this past September for a wedding and it was such a fun visit. Had Farinata – also known as Socca in some parts of the world – for the first time. It’s one of their traditional dishes. And Spain! We went for our anniversary two summers ago. Barcelona is of course beautiful and we had one of our fave meals there at AbAC – you have to get a res there! Then we went to La Rioja (amazing wine) and finally to San Sebastian, which is a foodie’s dream. You will be in heaven! Have the best time!
Whitney English says:
Thank you SO much for the recommendations Jessica!! I googled “farinata” and I’m psyched to try it! I will definitely check out those restaurants you mentioned in Spain as well! xoxo