French-style Paella

Ingredients

While the Spanish paella traditionally features saffron-infused rice, this French adaptation incorporates fragrant herbs like thyme, rosemary, and parsley. Additionally, French-style Paella often includes a wider variety of seafood such as mussels, scallops, and lobster, along with the addition of French sausages like Toulouse or Andouille. We alse have the original recipe for Paella, so you can check it out.

• 2 cups (470ml) chicken broth 2 cups (470ml) chicken broth
• 1 cup (235ml) white wine 1 cup (235ml) white wine
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, diced 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced 1 green bell pepper, sliced
• 1 cup (200g) Arborio rice 1 cup (200g) Arborio rice
• 1 teaspoon thyme 1 teaspoon thyme
• 1 teaspoon rosemary 1 teaspoon rosemary
• 1 teaspoon parsley 1 teaspoon parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 8 ounces (225g) chicken breast, diced 8 ounces (225g) chicken breast, diced
• 8 ounces (225g) shrimp, peeled and deveined 8 ounces (225g) shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 8 ounces (225g) mussels, cleaned and debearded 8 ounces (225g) mussels, cleaned and debearded
• 8 ounces (225g) scallops 8 ounces (225g) scallops
• 4 ounces (115g) Toulouse or Andouille sausage, sliced 4 ounces (115g) Toulouse or Andouille sausage, sliced
• 1 lemon, cut into wedges 1 lemon, cut into wedges
• Fresh parsley, for garnish Fresh parsley, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1880 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 12g, 3g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 45g, 3g
• Protein: 35g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large paella pan or skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, and sauté until translucent.
2. 2.
   Add the sliced bell peppers to the pan and cook for another 2-3 minutes until they begin to soften.
3. 3.
   Stir in the Arborio rice, thyme, rosemary, parsley, paprika, turmeric, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly to coat the rice with the spices.
4. 4.
   Pour in the chicken broth and white wine, and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let the rice cook for about 15 minutes, or until most of the liquid has been absorbed.
5. 5.
   Meanwhile, in a separate pan, cook the diced chicken breast until browned and cooked through. Set aside.
6. 6.
   In the same pan, cook the shrimp, mussels, scallops, and sausage until the seafood is cooked and the sausage is browned. Set aside.
7. 7.
   Once the rice has absorbed most of the liquid, gently stir in the cooked chicken, seafood, and sausage. Cover the pan and let it cook for an additional 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
8. 8.
   Remove from heat and let the paella rest for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon wedges.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Chicken — Ensure the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink in the center.
• Seafood — Do not overcook the seafood to maintain its tenderness and prevent it from becoming rubbery.
• Rice — Use Arborio rice for its ability to absorb flavors and create a creamy texture.

Tips & Tricks

• For a vegetarian version, omit the meat and seafood and add extra vegetables like artichokes, peas, and asparagus.
• Use homemade chicken broth for a richer flavor, or opt for a high-quality store-bought version.
• Allow the paella to rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.

Serving advice

Serve the French-style Paella hot, garnished with fresh parsley and lemon wedges. Accompany it with a side of crusty French bread to soak up the flavorful juices.

Presentation advice

Present the paella in the traditional large paella pan or a decorative skillet. The vibrant colors of the bell peppers, seafood, and herbs will make for an enticing visual display.