Easy Seafood Paella

Step 1

I used a paella pan however any thin bottom metal pan would work. Preheat your pan and add 1/4 of olive oil. Let the oil get hot and season it with a pinch of sea salt. Make sure to thaw and drain excess liquid from your seafood mix before using. Add seafood mix to the pan and sear for 5 minutes while stirring it on medium heat. Take the seared mix out of the pan and sit aside.

Step 2

Add the rest of 1/4 olive oil to the pan. Wait for 10 seconds to make sure the oil heats up.Add nicely chopped onion. Saute for 1 minute and add nicely diced red bell pepper. Cook on medium heat stirring for another 4 minutes or until onions become translucent.Add tomato puree and smoked paprika, mix well.

Step 3

Lower the heat to a minimum. Add 2 cups of chicken stock to the pan. Mix well and add 1 pack of Carmencita Paellero seasoning.Return seared seafood mix to the stock and stir for 1 minute.

Step 4

Increase heat back to medium. Add 2 cups of arborio rice to the stock. Try to spread it evenly however DO NOT stir! The secret to a real authentic paella is a crispy "burnt" bottom - socarrat, so no stirring is allowed at any time.Instead to allow the stock to coat all of our rice, use a wooden spoon and dip it in several areas reaching the bottom of the pan. Let it cook poking rice with the soon occasionally for 15 min. Add water if necessary if your stock evaporates too quickly or adjust the heat. Add water in smaller portions and pour only around the rim of the pan.

Step 5

Lay your shrimp ( I peel and devein mine) and clams on top of rice and let it all cook for another 5 minutes or until clams shells will start opening. If all the liquid from the rice is gone by this step, add a little bit of water. We need that steam to cook our shrimp, Add water in smaller portions and pour only around the rim of the pan.

Step 6

Now it's time to create that famous socarrat, the crispy rice bottom which defines the real-deal paella. Crank up the heat to maximum and let paella crisp up on the bottom. Keep moving the pan so all the areas get even attention.Now remove from heat and cover with some foil immediately. Let it rest for 10 minutes and dress up with some fresh parsley and lemon wedges. Serve right in the pan and enjoy!