Wednesday, May 14th 2008

Paella

3/4 cup olive oil
1 cup grated onion
1/2 boneless pork shoulder cut into 1-inch cubes
1 3 lb. chicken cut into 8 pieces
1 teaspoon finely chopped garlic
2 cups peeled, seeded and chopped tomatoes
2 bay leaves
4 sprigs fresh parsley
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon pulverized saffron
1/4 lb. sweet green peppers, seeded, deribbed and cut into thin strips
1/4 lb. green beans, trimmed and cut into 1 inch lengths or
9 ounces frozen artichoke hearts, thawed
12 mussels, well scrubbed
1/2 pound small clams, scrubbed, soaked in cold water 30 minutes
3 cups raw imported Spanish or Italian rice (or Uncle Ben's Converted)
7-oz. jar roasted red peppers, drained and cut into thin strips
1/2 shelled and deveined shrimp
1/4 pound fully cooked chorizo sausage, skinned and thinly sliced
2 lemons quartered

In a large casserole heat 1/3 cup olive oil and in it cook 1/2 cup grated onion for two minutes, stirring. Add the pork and chicken and saute for 5 minutes stirring. Then add garlic, tomatoes, herbs, salt, pepper and saffron. Cover and cook over medium heat about 25 minutes, stirring from time to time.

Meanwhile, steam the mussels and clams in 1 cup water until they open, about 5 minutes. Discard any that do not open. Reserve the mussels, clams, and cooking liquor and discard the shells. Strain the liquor. Add the green peppers and green beans or artichokes to the casserole. Cook covered 5 to 10 minutes longer.

Meanwhile, heat the remaining olive oil in a paella pan and cook the remaining 1/2 cup grated onion 1 minute. Add the rice and cook stirring until all the grains are coated, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the mussel and clam liquor plus 7 cups water to the casserole. Bring to the boil.

Acuvue 2 contacts
Save up to 75% off on many types of contact lenses

Slowly pour the bubbling sauce over the rice. Then slide the
remaining contents of the casserole evenly over the sizzling rice. Add the red peppers, shrimp, chorizo slices, mussels, and clams. Stir once. Cook uncovered over brisk heat until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender, about 20 minutes. Rotate and shake the pan from time to time to cook the rice evenly. Allow the contents to rest 5 minutes before serving. Serve directly from the pan with the lemon wedges.