Ive never eaten paella before so I decided to make it. I used this recipe specifically beacause it was “easy”.

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/84137/easy-paella/

It was really good but I dont believe this is a very authentic recipe. I know paella should develp a crust on the bottom so I will find a better recipe for the next time I make this.

The shrimp was precooked and frozen since I already had that.

#cooking #food #castiron #oc

  • Dr. Bob@lemmy.caEnglish
    12·
    4 months ago

    Paella is really hard to make. It is 100% timing and technique because every ingredient cooks at a different rate so you have to layer and time without stirring which would disrupt the formation of the socarrat. Enjoy the journey!

    • slabber@lemmy.ml
      6·
      4 months ago

      Is it really that hard? I agree that timing is important as well as controlling the amount of stock and the heat so it evaporates at the right time. Getting it right is not easy the first time but after 2 or 3 you start feeling it. At least I do. Not sure if I can upload a picture from the one I made yesterday but I will try.

      As you can see, I failed or forgot to fry the bell pepper while frying the rest of vegetables and shrimp leading me to not have them nicely done (and a bit burned). Busy day so I forgot.

      Still. The whole dish was done in 40 min.

      So… never give up until you master (or get what you expect). ;)

        • slabber@lemmy.ml
          4·
          4 months ago

          Thanks. Yes, it was actually quite good.

          I had a look at the recipe you followed. This looks quite far from a paella to me. I believe in freedom of ingredients because there a lot of variations. But as others pointed out. The timing important and the use of basics in my opinion.

          A must is olive oil, crushed tomatoes, fish stock and some round rice, not the long one. After that you decide what you like.

          The following is not a recipe I followed but it is closest to what I do most of the time. Sometimes I add chicken, others I do shrimps and some fish and no meat at all. But the order in this recipe is the one I use.

          https://www.cookipedia.co.uk/recipes_wiki/Paella_alicantina

          Happy cooking!

      • Dr. Bob@lemmy.caEnglish
        3·
        4 months ago

        I guess it depends on your ingredients. Wild game and fresh seafood will complicate matters. It’s always fun to cook and it’s sublime when it turns out.

  • Canadian_Cabinet @lemmy.ca
    7·
    4 months ago

    This definitely falls under the category of “arroz con cosas” rather than paella but it still looks really good!