Smoky chicken and mussel paella
Spanish 30 Mins Prep · 40 Mins Cook
- To make the paella spice mix, combine all the spices in a bowl and store in a jar until required.
- Finely chop the chorizo. Place a very large frying pan or paella pan over a high heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the chicken pieces and chorizo and sauté until golden brown and cooked through – approx. 15 minutes. Move the meat to the side of the pan and deglaze it with the non-alcoholic wine, scraping off the pieces on the bottom. Finely slice the onions and capsicum and add to the pan along with the tomato paste and spice mix. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened. Add the tomatoes, stock and water and bring to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to a simmer and sprinkle the rice evenly over the pan. Stir to coat well then don’t stir again. Simmer on a low heat for 20 minutes. Test the rice – it should be al dente like pasta. Arrange the mussels on top and place a lid or foil on top and continue cooking.
- When the rice is done, it will start to make a very faint crackling sound. This is the prized socarrat, or paella crust, starting to form at the base of the pan. You can turn the heat up a touch but be very careful, you want your rice crust toasted but not burned. When you start to get a subtle toasting scent remove from the heat.
- Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve with lemon wedges on the side.
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