Description
Ina Garten’s shrimp paella brings Spanish coastal flavors to home kitchens with authentic ingredients and simple cooking techniques. Coastal Spain inspires this colorful rice dish that combines succulent shrimp, aromatic saffron, and rich spices you’ll savor to the last bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb shrimp
- 1 C bomba (paella) rice
- 1 C frozen peas
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup clam broth
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp minced parsley
- 1 C chopped red bell pepper
- ⅔ C chopped tomato
- ½ C chopped sweet onion
- ⅓ C chopped scallions
- 1 tsp ground paprika
- ½ tsp ground turmeric
- ½ tsp saffron threads
- ¾ tsp salt
Instructions
- Sauté Base: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add red bell pepper, onion, scallions, and bomba rice, gently cooking for three minutes until vegetables soften and release their aromatic essences.
- Spice Infusion: Introduce turmeric, paprika, saffron threads, garlic, and salt, stirring to distribute spices evenly and allow them to bloom for an additional three minutes, creating a rich flavor foundation.
- Liquid Integration: Pour clam and vegetable broths into the skillet, bringing to a rapid boil for three minutes while continuously stirring to prevent ingredient sticking and ensure uniform cooking.
- Rice Absorption: Reduce heat to a gentle simmer, allowing rice to absorb liquid without stirring. Let the rice cook undisturbed for five minutes, maintaining a slight moisture content.
- Final Layering: Distribute frozen peas and raw shrimp across the rice surface. Cover the pan with aluminum foil to trap steam and promote even cooking for ten minutes.
- Finishing Touch: Remove foil and verify shrimp have turned pink and rice is tender. Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the paella and serve immediately, presenting a vibrant, aromatic dish ready to tantalize the palate.
Notes
- Precision Matters: Use bomba rice specifically for authentic Spanish paella texture and authentic flavor absorption.
- Spice Strategy: Toast spices like turmeric and saffron before adding liquids to maximize their aromatic intensity and develop deeper taste profiles.
- Heat Control: Maintain consistent medium-high temperature during initial sautéing to prevent burning while developing complex vegetable and rice flavors.
- No Stirring Rule: Resist the temptation to constantly stir rice during simmering, allowing a delicious crispy bottom (socarrat) to form, which is a traditional paella hallmark.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 365
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 901 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 200 mg