Arròs de la Terra - Catalan Earth Rice

Ingredients

• 2 cups (400g) Arborio rice 2 cups (400g) Arborio rice
• 4 cups (950ml) vegetable broth 4 cups (950ml) vegetable broth
• 1 large onion, finely chopped 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 cup (150g) artichoke hearts, quartered 1 cup (150g) artichoke hearts, quartered
• 1 cup (150g) mushrooms, sliced 1 cup (150g) mushrooms, sliced
• 1 cup (150g) fresh or frozen peas 1 cup (150g) fresh or frozen peas
• 1 teaspoon saffron threads 1 teaspoon saffron threads
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley or chives for garnish Fresh parsley or chives for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 6g, 1g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 68g, 6g
• Protein: 8g
• Fiber: 5g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a small bowl, steep the saffron threads in 2 tablespoons of warm water for 10 minutes.
2. 2.
   In a large pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until translucent.
3. 3.
   Add the diced bell peppers, artichoke hearts, mushrooms, and peas to the pan. Cook for 5 minutes, until the vegetables are slightly softened.
4. 4.
   Stir in the Arborio rice and paprika, coating the rice with the vegetable mixture.
5. 5.
   Pour in the vegetable broth and saffron water. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. 6.
   Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pan and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed the liquid.
7. 7.
   Remove the pan from heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
8. 8.
   Fluff the rice with a fork and garnish with fresh parsley or chives before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Saffron — To enhance the flavor and color of saffron, steep it in warm water before adding it to the dish. This will help release its aromatic compounds.
• Arborio rice — Use Arborio rice for its creamy texture and ability to absorb flavors. If Arborio rice is not available, you can substitute it with other short-grain rice varieties like Valencia or Carnaroli.

Tips & Tricks

• For a richer flavor, you can add a splash of white wine to the vegetable mixture before adding the rice.
• Feel free to customize the vegetables based on what is in season or your personal preferences.
• To make the dish more protein-rich, you can add cooked chickpeas or tofu cubes along with the vegetables.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated and enjoyed the next day. The flavors tend to meld together even more, making it even more delicious.

Serving advice

Serve Arròs de la Terra as a main course accompanied by a fresh green salad or crusty bread. It can also be served as a side dish alongside grilled fish or roasted chicken.

Presentation advice

Garnish the dish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or chives to add a pop of color. Serve it in a large, shallow bowl to showcase the vibrant colors of the vegetables and saffron-infused rice.