Description
Delight in this vibrant and flavorful Vegetable Paella with Saffron Rice, a classic Spanish dish made with fresh vegetables, aromatic saffron, and perfectly toasted rice simmered to a tender finish. This gluten-free, vegetarian recipe offers a hearty, one-pan meal that’s perfect for a wholesome lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 1 zucchini, chopped
- 1 cup green beans, trimmed and halved
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Rice and Broth
- 1 1/2 cups Arborio or short-grain rice
- 1/4 teaspoon saffron threads
- 4 cups vegetable broth (warm)
Seasonings and Oils
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or paella pan over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic, sliced bell peppers, chopped zucchini, and green beans; sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
- Toast the Rice: Add the Arborio rice to the pan and toast it by stirring for 1–2 minutes, ensuring each grain is coated in the olive oil for enhanced flavor.
- Add Broth and Seasonings: Stir in saffron threads, warm vegetable broth, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. After this point, do not stir to allow the rice to cook evenly and form the signature paella crust.
- Simmer the Rice: Spread ingredients evenly in the pan and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook uncovered for about 20 minutes or until the liquid is mostly absorbed.
- Finish Cooking: Scatter halved cherry tomatoes and frozen peas over the rice, cooking for another 5–10 minutes until rice is tender and the bottom forms a light crust.
- Rest and Garnish: Remove from heat and let the paella rest covered for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges for squeezing over the dish.
Notes
- Avoid stirring after adding broth to help develop the traditional paella crust at the bottom.
- Feel free to substitute or add vegetables like artichokes, mushrooms, or asparagus based on seasonal availability.
- For extra richness, stir a spoonful of tomato paste into the broth before adding it to the skillet.
