Paella the Ultimate Hostel Dish

If you haven’t prepared Paella before, then you need to read this post. Paella is the ultimate hostel dish; its cheap, can be made with all kinds of fresh ingredients, easy to share, and keeps well for leftovers! Get away from the pasta routine and try some new flavors. Share the meal with friends, or make new ones over a meal. Below I’ve listed some of the main ingredients found in Paella, but don’t let this ingredient list confine your imagination. In a nutshell for 3 servings you need paella spices (many places you can get saffron rice otherwise saffron or turmeric), 1 part rice, 2 parts liquid (water, chicken or beef brother, wine, beer) vegetables, and some protein (beef, pork, chicken, beans, squid, shrimp, scallops, mussels).  Done. Let me know your thoughts! Share some stories about your Paella experience, send some photos in I’ll post them! But most of all enjoy yourself on the road.

Buen Apetito!

Makes about 3 servings

Ingredients

1 Cup Uncooked Rice
2 Cups Beef Broth (or chicken broth or water)
Saffron rice seasoning (1 teaspoon saffron or turmeric)
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 Pepper (Red, Orange, Yellow or Green)
1 Onion
2 Tomatoes
1 Clove Garlic
3 Sausages
125ml Oil for frying

Tools

Large pot or pan with cover (to hold all ingredients)
Kitchen Knife
Large Spoon for Stirring

Instructions

1. Cut sausage into 1/2 inch slices
2. Dice vegetables
3. Warm oil in pot with medium-high heat
4. Fry Garlic, Onions and Sausage for 2-3 minutes until sausage is browned and onions are translucent
5. Add pepper and tomatoes fry for 2-3 minutes
6. Add uncooked rice, broth and spices and bring to a boil, boil for 2 minutes
7. Simmer on medium heat (uncovered) for 15 minutes. Stir so rice does not stick to bottom of pot
8. Once liquid is almost all absorbed, simmer covered on low heat for 5 minutes
9. Serve!

Like we said at the top of the post once you have made a paella or two you can get creative and add any mix of vegetables or meats to your liking. Our favorite vegetables have been red peppers, peas, and artichokes. We also have had great success with shrimp and calamari. When added shrimp and calamari, I recommend adding them 5 minutes into step #7 when you have  10 minutes of simmering left. This will allow the seafood to cook without over cooking.

Enjoy!