Pepper’s take on Paella w/chicken and dry Chorizo

Different than what you might be used to. STILL delicious!

Dry Chorizo (this is the one I always use, it’s awesome)

    Cut 1/2 package into chunks 

     sear in paella pan and set aside, leave oil in pan

3-4 Chicken thighs

Season with salt, pepper, ancho chili powder, garlic powder, curry powder dry rub.

Cover chicken generously with the rub.

Dry rub: 1 TBSP of each spice above mixed in a small bowl.

Sear in pan until half cooked, skin browned, then set aside.

Add all of these (and a little water) to medium hot pan and saute until soft (~5 min)

     1 cup bell pepper 

     1/2 cup chopped onion

     5 cloves of chopped garlic

     1 jalepeno

     4 habeneros if you like spice

     1/2 cup raisins (golden preferred)

     salt and pepper

1 cup aborio rice

Create space in center of pan and add rice to brown before adding wet ingredients allow to brown a little bit.

Add to pan

1 can diced tomatoes

1 TBSP tomato paste (game changer)

plus 1.5 cup of chicken stock

Bring to boil and add back chorizo and chicken

Spices

     large pinch saffron

     cumin 1/2 teaspoon

     teaspoon smoked paprika

HOT TIP! If you love heat like I do, try a teaspoon (or more) of this pepper flake to your rice.

Simmer 20 minutes on low/medium heat

Paella
Paella

Add PEAS

A note on Soccarat: It is the crusty crispy bottom of the paella that becomes caramelized and toasted, and actually scorched on the bottom of the pan when it is cooking. It is absolutely delicious. I have not mentioned it above because if you do not consume the paella immediately, this lovely crusty delicious rice element will just get lost in your cold/leftover paella. My tip is to take a bit of your paella, when you are good and ready to eat it, and place in a hot cast iron pan to sear each order to perfection. You will heat the paella on medium-high heat until you smell an almost burnt popcorn scent. If you pull some up and your rice is crusty and brown. EAT! YUM. Enjoy.