Summer Vegetable Paella

This recipe is so versatile: Try it with different vegetables, add in protein like this week’s chorizo sausage, or even cook it on the grill!

Ingredients:
2 cups paella rice
4 cups chicken stock
¼ cup olive oil
3 large garlic cloves
1 sweet onion, peeled and thinly sliced
1 pound tomatoes, seeded and cut into wedges
2 bell peppers, preferably 1 orange and 1 yellow, seeded and thinly sliced
2 zucchini, quartered and thinly sliced
2 teaspoons pimentón
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper

Method:
1. Put the tomato wedges in a bowl and sprinkle with salt. Let sit while the rest of the paella is prepared.

2. In a large paella pan, skillet or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic to the pot and sauté for 30 seconds, or until fragrant.

3. Add the onions, peppers and zucchini to the pot, along with a pinch of salt. Sauté for 5-6 minutes, or until veggies are just tender. Add the pimentón and rice to the pot. Sauté for a minute and then add 1 teaspoon salt and the stock to the pot, plus more water to cover, as necessary. Bring to a boil and let cook for 3 minutes.

4. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue to cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Once most of the stock is absorbed, turn off the heat and add the tomatoes. Cover and allow to stand for 10-15 minutes. Season to taste with salt and black pepper. Serve warm.

Variations: Traditional paella is often served with cubed chicken, chorizo or even shellfish mixed in; pick your favorites and add the protein alongside with the vegetables in step 3 above (if using shellfish, add during the last 5 minutes of simmering in step 4). Feel free to substitute or add in any other summer vegetable, such as eggplant or this week’s broccolini. Also, if it’s too hot to stand over the stove, cook your paella in a skillet on the grill!