Turkish-Style Paella

Ingredients

While the original Spanish Paella traditionally uses saffron and chorizo, our Turkish-style Paella incorporates Turkish spices such as cumin, paprika, and sumac. We also substitute chorizo with Turkish sucuk, a flavorful and spicy sausage. Additionally, we include Turkish ingredients like eggplant and dried apricots to add a unique touch to the dish. We alse have the original recipe for Paella, so you can check it out.

• 2 cups (400g) Turkish rice 2 cups (400g) Turkish rice
• 4 cups (950ml) chicken or vegetable broth 4 cups (950ml) chicken or vegetable broth
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 eggplant, diced 1 eggplant, diced
• 1 zucchini, diced 1 zucchini, diced
• 200g sucuk, sliced 200g sucuk, sliced
• 1 teaspoon cumin 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon sumac 1 teaspoon sumac
• 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup (150g) frozen peas 1 cup (150g) frozen peas
• 1/2 cup (75g) dried apricots, chopped 1/2 cup (75g) dried apricots, chopped
• 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): 12g, 3g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 70g, 10g
• Protein: 18g
• Fiber: 8g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large paella pan or a wide, shallow skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
2. 2.
   Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pan and sauté until they become translucent.
3. 3.
   Add the diced red bell pepper, eggplant, zucchini, and sucuk to the pan. Cook for about 5 minutes until the vegetables start to soften.
4. 4.
   Sprinkle the cumin, paprika, sumac, salt, and black pepper over the vegetables and stir well to coat them evenly.
5. 5.
   Add the Turkish rice to the pan and stir it with the vegetables and spices for a minute.
6. 6.
   Pour the chicken or vegetable broth into the pan and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and let it simmer for about 15 minutes or until the rice is cooked and the liquid is absorbed.
7. 7.
   Stir in the frozen peas and chopped dried apricots. Cover the pan again and cook for an additional 5 minutes until the peas are heated through.
8. 8.
   Remove the pan from the heat and let it rest for a few minutes.
9. 9.
   Garnish the Turkish-style Paella with freshly chopped parsley and serve it with lemon wedges on the side.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Turkish rice — Rinse the rice thoroughly before using it to remove excess starch and ensure a fluffy texture.
• Sucuk — If you can't find sucuk, you can substitute it with spicy Italian sausage or another flavorful sausage of your choice.
• Sumac — Sumac adds a tangy and citrusy flavor to the dish. If you don't have sumac, you can use lemon zest as a substitute.
• Dried apricots — Soak the dried apricots in warm water for a few minutes before chopping them. This will help soften them and enhance their flavor.

Tips & Tricks

• For a smoky flavor, you can grill the vegetables before adding them to the paella pan.
• To achieve the traditional socarrat (crispy bottom) of the paella, increase the heat to high for the last few minutes of cooking, being careful not to burn it.
• Customize your Turkish-style Paella by adding seafood such as shrimp or mussels during the last few minutes of cooking.
• Serve the paella with a dollop of Turkish yogurt on top for a creamy and tangy contrast.
• Leftover Turkish-style Paella can be refrigerated and enjoyed the next day. Simply reheat it in a pan with a splash of broth to refresh the flavors.

Serving advice

Serve the Turkish-style Paella hot, straight from the pan. Accompany it with lemon wedges for squeezing over the dish to add a refreshing citrusy touch. This vibrant and aromatic dish is perfect for sharing with family and friends.

Presentation advice

Present the Turkish-style Paella in the paella pan itself, allowing the colorful ingredients to shine. Garnish it with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of green. The vibrant colors and enticing aroma will make it an eye-catching centerpiece on your dining table.