Traditional Paella Valenciana is a colourful dish, rich in flavours and aromas, that will transport you straight to Spain. Chunks of chicken and rabbit combine perfectly with fresh vegetables, spices and bomba rice, all cooked over a low heat in a large paella dish. This recipe is a real treat for the taste buds, served with lemon and rouille, a sauce made from garlic, olive oil and breadcrumbs that adds the finishing touch to this dish. It’s a tasty, hearty and healthy dish that will be the stuff of dreams for all lovers of Spanish cuisine.
Traditional Valencian paella
Ingredients for 8 to 10 people :
- 1 kg bomba rice
- 1 chicken, cut into pieces
- 1 rabbit, cut into pieces
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 red pepper, diced
- 1 green pepper, diced
- 1 tomato, peeled and diced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon saffron
- 800ml chicken stock
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup peas
- 1 cup chopped asparagus
Preparation :
- Heat the olive oil in a large paella pan over a medium heat and fry the chicken and rabbit pieces until golden brown. Set aside.
- In the same pan, fry the onion, garlic, peppers and tomatoes until tender. Add the paprika and saffron and mix well.
- Add the rice and stir to coat the grains. Add the chicken stock, peas, asparagus and reserved chicken and rabbit pieces.
- Simmer for about 20 minutes or until the rice is cooked and the water has been absorbed. Season with salt and pepper.
- Remove from the heat and leave to stand for a few minutes before serving.
This paella valenciana recipe is a traditional dish from the Valencia region of Spain, using typical ingredients such as chicken and rabbit. It is also rich in vegetables, such as peppers and tomatoes, as well as peas and asparagus. This dish is cooked over an open fire, giving it a unique and authentic flavour. It is often served with lemon and rouille, a sauce made from garlic, olive oil and breadcrumbs. This recipe is a real treat for the taste buds, rich in flavour and colour.
Nutritional details
Rice: Rice is a good source of complex carbohydrates and is rich in minerals such as manganese, phosphorus and magnesium, as well as B vitamins.
Chicken: Chicken is a good source of protein and B vitamins.
Rabbit: Rabbit is an excellent source of protein and is also low in fat and calories.
Vegetables: Vegetables such as peppers, tomatoes and asparagus are rich in fibre, vitamins and minerals.
Olive oil: Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, which can help protect against heart disease.
Saffron: Saffron is rich in antioxidants and vitamins.
This recipe is rich in protein and fibre, and also packed with nutrients thanks to the use of vegetables, meat and rice.
More information on paella
Paella has a regional origin and is mainly associated with the Valencia region of Spain. There is evidence that similar forms of paella have been cooked in Spain since the Middle Ages, but modern paella as we know it today emerged in the 19th century.
The original paella valenciana was a simple dish cooked by Valencian peasants in the fields. It consisted of rice, water, salt, olive oil and vegetables such as peas and broad beans. Over time, the ingredients evolved to include meat and seafood, depending on local availability.
With the immigration of Valencian workers to the major cities of Spain and abroad, paella became a popular and world-famous dish. Today, there are many variations of paella, each with its own unique ingredients and flavours, but paella valenciana remains the emblematic dish of the region.
