Paella is the emblem of Valencian cuisine, and in summer, taking advantage of seasonal ingredients is key to enhancing its flavors. With the advice of Rafa Margós, our paella chef, we'll teach you how to prepare a paella using fresh, natural ingredients. This summer, surprise your guests with a paella that captures the essence of the Mediterranean.
Summer seasonal products perfect for your paella
The success of a paella lies in the quality and freshness of its ingredients. In summer, nature offers us a variety of products that, when carefully chosen, can transform a simple paella into a masterpiece. Below, we'll explore the seasonal ingredients that are ideal for your summer paella.
Fresh seafood
Summer is the perfect season to enjoy fresh seafood, such as shrimp, crayfish, mussels, and squid. These ingredients not only add exquisite flavor to paella, but also enrich your broths, giving them a deep and authentic character.
To ensure the freshness of your seafood, it's best to buy it at local markets, where it arrives directly from the port. Seafood caught in summer is usually tastier, as many species are at their peak ripeness. Crayfish and shrimp, for example, reach their peak during this time, lending a sweet and delicate flavor to paella.
Summer vegetables
Seasonal vegetables are another essential component for a balanced paella. In summer, Valencia's gardens offer an abundance of fresh, flavorful ingredients. Some of the best options for your paella include:
- Tomatoes: Ripe summer tomatoes are juicy and sweet, perfect for the sofrito that will form the base of the paella. Their natural acidity balances the flavors of the seafood and rice.
- Peppers: Red and green peppers add a touch of sweetness and vibrant color to the dish. Roasted beforehand, they develop a smoky flavor that blends perfectly with the rest of the ingredients.
- Green beans: We Valencians call them bajoqueta. Fresh green beans provide a crunchy texture and a slightly grassy flavor.
- Artichokes: Although not typical of summer, they are found in some regions during this time. If you're lucky enough to find them, don't hesitate to add them, as their earthy flavor complements rice well. They're Rafa's favorite ingredient!
- Zucchini: This mild, delicate-flavored vegetable is perfect for adding a fresh, light touch to summer paella.
Herbs and spices: the finishing touch
Herbs and spices are essential for giving paella its personality. In summer, fresh herbs like parsley, rosemary, and thyme are at their most vibrant. These herbs not only add flavor but also an aroma that elevates the dish to another level.
- Saffron: Saffron is the undisputed king of spices in paella. This spice, in addition to giving rice its characteristic golden color, provides a floral and slightly bitter flavor that is essential for an authentic paella.
- Pimentón de la Vera: This smoked paprika adds depth and a touch of warmth to the dish. It's ideal for pairing with seafood and roasted vegetables.
The broth: the basis of everything
The broth is the heart of paella. At El Paeller, we make our seafood and fish broth by hand, over a wood-fired oven, using 100% natural ingredients. This slow and careful process is what gives the broth such a deep and complex flavor, which permeates every grain of rice. In our case, the ingredients come from Dénia, to give the broth its quality and authentic Mediterranean flavor.
For a summer paella, the broth should be light but flavorful, allowing the fresh ingredients to shine. A good seafood broth, enriched with shrimp shells and squid juices, is the perfect base for a paella that captures the essence of the sea.
Seafood and summer vegetable paella recipe
Now that you know the key ingredients, it's time to get started. Below, we present a recipe that combines the best of the sea and the garden, so you can prepare a seafood and summer vegetable paella that will leave all your guests speechless.
Ingredients
- 400 g of bomba rice
- 200 g of fresh shrimp
- 150 g of crayfish
- 200 g of mussels
- 150 g of squid, cleaned and cut into rings
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into strips
- 1 green bell pepper, cut into strips
- 100 g green beans, chopped
- 2 ripe tomatoes, grated
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon of paprika from La Vera
- A few strands of saffron
- 1 liter of El Paeller wood-fired seafood broth
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Salt to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Steps to follow
- Prepare the sofrito : In a large paella pan, heat a generous amount of extra virgin olive oil. Add the chopped garlic and sauté until it begins to brown. Then, add the peppers and green beans and cook over medium heat until the vegetables are tender.
- Add the seafood : Add the shrimp, crayfish, and squid to the paella. Cook for a few minutes until the seafood begins to change color. Remove the crayfish and shrimp and set them aside for the end.
- Add the tomato and paprika: Add the grated tomato to the sofrito and cook until it has reduced and blended well with the other ingredients. Then, add the La Vera paprika and stir quickly to prevent it from burning.
- Cooking the rice: Pour the bomba rice into the paella pan and mix it well with the sofrito, ensuring all the grains are well coated with oil and flavor. Then, add the hot seafood broth and the saffron threads.
- Cook without stirring : Cook over medium-high heat for the first 10 minutes, then reduce heat to medium for another 7 minutes. Don't stir the rice throughout.
- Add the reserved seafood: When the rice is almost ready, add the reserved shrimp and crayfish on top of the rice. This will allow them to finish cooking in the residual heat. Increase the heat to high for 1 minute or until the broth has completely evaporated.
- Resting and garnish: Once the rice is cooked, remove the paella from the heat and let it rest for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Our tips for your paella with seasonal products
To ensure your summer paella is a success, follow these tips from our paella chef, Rafa Margós:
- Always use fresh, seasonal products . Seasonal ingredients are not only tastier, but also more economical and sustainable.
- Control the heat carefully . Paella requires constant, even heat so the rice cooks evenly.
- Don't stir the rice during cooking . Although it may be tempting, it's important to let the rice cook without stirring it so that the socarrat, that crunchy layer on the bottom everyone loves, can form.
- Adjust the salt at the end. Remember that the broth already has salt, so adjust during cooking if necessary.
With this recipe and our tips, you'll be ready to prepare a summer paella that captures all the flavors of the Mediterranean. Enjoy the experience of cooking and sharing this special dish with your family and friends!
