Croatian-style Seafood Paella

Ingredients

While the Spanish Paella typically includes ingredients like chorizo and saffron, our Croatian adaptation focuses on the fresh seafood available in the Adriatic Sea. We have also incorporated local Croatian spices and herbs to infuse the dish with unique flavors. We alse have the original recipe for Paella, so you can check it out.

• 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 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 (200g) Arborio rice 1 cup (200g) Arborio rice
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf 1 bay leaf
• 1 cup (240ml) fish or vegetable broth 1 cup (240ml) fish or vegetable broth
• 1 cup (240ml) white wine 1 cup (240ml) white wine
• 1 cup (200g) diced tomatoes 1 cup (200g) diced tomatoes
• 300g mixed seafood (shrimp, mussels, calamari) 300g mixed seafood (shrimp, mussels, calamari)
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish) Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
• Lemon wedges (for serving) Lemon wedges (for serving)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1880 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 8g, 1g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 65g, 5g
• Protein: 25g
• Fiber: 5g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat the olive oil in a large paella pan or skillet over medium heat.
2. 2.
   Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until translucent.
3. 3.
   Stir in the diced bell peppers and cook for another 2 minutes.
4. 4.
   Add the Arborio rice to the pan and stir well to coat it with the oil and vegetables.
5. 5.
   Sprinkle in the paprika, dried oregano, dried thyme, and bay leaf. Stir to combine.
6. 6.
   Pour in the fish or vegetable broth and white wine. Bring to a simmer.
7. 7.
   Add the diced tomatoes and season with salt and pepper to taste.
8. 8.
   Gently nestle the mixed seafood into the rice mixture.
9. 9.
   Cover the pan and let the paella simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and the seafood is tender.
10. 10.
    Remove the bay leaf and garnish with fresh parsley.
11. 11.
    Serve the Croatian-style Seafood Paella with lemon wedges on the side.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Seafood — Ensure that the seafood is fresh and properly cleaned before adding it to the paella. Overcooking the seafood can make it tough, so be careful to cook it just until it is tender and cooked through.

Tips & Tricks

• For a smoky flavor, you can add a pinch of Croatian smoked paprika to the dish.
• If you prefer a spicier paella, you can add a chopped chili pepper along with the bell peppers.
• To enhance the seafood flavor, you can use homemade fish stock instead of vegetable broth.
• If you don't have a paella pan, you can use a large skillet or a wide, shallow pot.
• Leftover paella can be refrigerated and enjoyed the next day. Simply reheat it gently on the stovetop, adding a splash of broth if needed to prevent it from drying out.

Serving advice

Serve the Croatian-style Seafood Paella hot, straight from the pan. Place lemon wedges on the side for squeezing over the paella, adding a refreshing citrusy touch to each bite. Serve it as a main course with a side salad or crusty bread.

Presentation advice

To create an appealing presentation, arrange the cooked seafood on top of the paella, garnish with fresh parsley, and place lemon wedges around the edges of the pan. The vibrant colors of the bell peppers and the seafood will make the dish visually enticing.