Paella II (How to cook)

Have all the ingredients prepared before cooking the paella (Mise En Place)

Clean the squid and cut into rings. Set aside.

Peel shrimps and remove the intestine

The mussels; put them in a pot with some water. As soon as the mussels open, about five minutes. The ones that do not open, discard. Remove from the hot water. DO NOT throw away the liquid. Separate the empty shell from the mussel and reserve the shell that contains the meat. Strain the liquid through fine mesh. Set aside.

Same process with the clams

The fumet (fish stock); heat the oil or butter in stockpot over medium high heat. Add onion, celery, carrots and garlic. Cook until vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes. Add shrimp shells. Cook for 5 minutes. Add the fish bones. Cover with water, clams liquid, and mussel reserve liquid. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes. Skim the white foam from the surface. Remove from the heat. Strain through fine mesh. Set aside.

→ Keep the stock hot as you cook.

Heat the olive oil in a paella pan over medium heat. Add the shrimps a sauté them for about two minutes. Remove shrimps. Set aside.

Fry the chicken until golden brown for all side. Add the chorizo and cook for about two minutes. Remove the chicken and chorizo and keep warm. Add the pork ribs and cook until brown. Remove for pan.

To make the sofrito which provide the flavor base, add the diced onions, minced garlic, diced leek and the diced peppers. Saute for about 10 minutes. Add the grated tomatoes and cook for five minutes. Add the saffron. Add the white wine or brandy and cook, stirring for two minutes or until evaporated

At this moment is the time to add the rice by stirring to coat it with the oil or until the rice begins to show transparency around the edges, about five minutes. Pour in the stock; the right amount is to covering all the ingredients. Simmer until rice stars to dry out, about 10 minutes. Distribute the reserve chicken, chorizo, and the piquito peppers over the rice. Simmer until rice absorbed most of the liquid, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat. Arrange the shrimps and shellfish. Cover with foil, and let stand for 10 minutes.

Garnish with chopped parsley, red pepper and lemon wedges.