Welcome to My Kitchen

I started cooking 20 years ago, and every day has been a new experience. You might not believe it but i was a person who could not fry an egg...but 20 years on..i feel i can take on any challenge.

I'm constantly trying out new recipes and looking for innovative ways to improvise my dishes and make it more easier. The easier the cooking gets and the less time it takes the more time for me to relax with my loved one.
But easy and quick does not mean compromise on taste or the way a dish is presented. I take great pride in decorating my dishes as i am a firm believer of ' The first impression counts'.

I decided to start this blog to help others like me discover that cooking a feast does not require slogging for hours in the kitchen all it requires is the right ingredients, tools and a creative mind and voila! you will have your family and guests begging for second helpings....

My inspiration for cooking has always been my husband...he loves his food..and like the saying goes 'A way to a man's heart is through his stomach'..i can confidently say it's true and it works wonders for a happy relationship...but he is also my best critic and competition.

I've got two little girls both who love to eat, and my eldest always enjoys helping me in the kitchen. I will try to post more kid friendly recipes that can be fun to eat and make together.

Hope you enjoy this blog and find it useful...please do feel free to leave any feedback or comments...remember there's always room for improvement!!!

Monday 10 October 2011

Paella


Paella is a traditional Spanish dish made with seafood and meat. This dish is great for family lunches as it's all cooked in one big saucepan or paella dish.



Ingredients:
1 tbsp olive oil 
300g paella rice 
150-200g frozen seafood mix ( should be a mix of shrimps, mussels, squid and baby octopus) 
12-15 de-veined tiger prawns, keep tails on 
2 fillets of white fish or any chunky fish, cut into chunks 
2 large chicken breasts, cut in chunks 
1 large onion, finely chopped 
1 large tomato, deseeded and chopped 
4 cloves of garlic, finely chopped 
1 litre fish stock (can use chicken stock instead) 
1 tsp dried thyme 
4-5 slices Spanish chorizo, chopped 
2 slices of bacon or pancetta, chopped 
1 red pepper, chopped 
4-5 strands of saffron 
2 tbsp smoked paprika 
50g frozen peas 
100ml white wine 
6-8 tbsp freshly chopped parsley 
1 lime, cut into wedges 
Salt & pepper for seasoning
Marinade for the seafood & chicken
1 tsp dried red chilli flakes 
1 tsp garlic powder 
1 tsp paprika 
Drizzle of olive oil 
Salt & pepper for seasoning

Method:
1. Marinate the seafood mix, fish, tiger prawns and chicken separately with the marinade ingredients and leave aside for atleast an hour.
2. In a deep heavy bottomed saucepan, heat oil. First fry the chicken until tender and lightly golden brown for 3-4 minutes. Don’t over cook as it will cook later along with the paella. Fry the mixed seafood and fish next, you might find that it releases some water. Add this water to your stock. Take off the heat in 2 mins. Follow the same with the jumbo prawns and keep aside.
3. If you feel the pan has got loads of residue left from the marinade, just add little boiling water, this water can be added to the stock.
4. Heat oil in the same pan, fry the garlic. Add the chopped pancetta/bacon and chorizo. Fry for a couple of minutes until lightly crisp. Add the onions. Sprinkle the thyme.
5. Once the onions are translucent add the tomatoes.
6. Once the tomatoes are softened add the rice and stir. Add the wine. Once the alcohol is completely absorbed, add the chopped peppers. Stir well.
7. Add half the stock. Stir occasionally to avoid the rice sticking at the bottom.
8. Add in the seafood, fish, prawns and chicken. If it is getting dry add the rest of the stock. Shake the pan to avoid rice sticking to the bottom. Add the peas.
9. Add the paprika and any leftover stock. Add the chopped parsley, check for seasoning.
10. Cook until rice is tender and the stock has be entirely absorbed. Serve hot with lime wedges.
Tips:
If you want to make a vegetarian option, just leave out the meat and seafood, add a variation of mixed vegetables.

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