Seafood paella is a traditional Spanish dish usually made with seafood such as shrimp, mussels, clams and squid, plus rice, saffron, garlic, onion, tomato, paprika and other seasonings. The ingredients are cooked together in a large, shallow pan called a paellera over an open flame, which helps create a golden, crispy crust on the bottom of the rice.
To make seafood paella, you usually start by heating olive oil in the paella pan and sautéing chopped onion and garlic until soft. Then add diced tomato, paprika and saffron and cook for a few minutes until the tomato breaks down and the spices are fragrant.
Next, add the seafood to the pan with the rice and enough water or stock to cover everything. The dish then cooks over medium heat until the rice is done and the liquid has been absorbed, stirring occasionally so it doesn’t stick and cooks evenly.
Once the paella is ready, it’s usually garnished with chopped parsley and lemon wedges and served hot. Seafood paella is a delicious, hearty dish that’s perfect for sharing with family and friends, and a much-loved part of Spanish cuisine.