Paella

I am so looking forward to returning to Barcelona in a week's time that I had to make one of the Spanish Classics, Paella, today, just to keep the excitement at bay.

It's actually not difficult to make at all and can be varied in many many ways to suit your taste buds.

My version includes Chicken, Prawns, Scallops and of course Chorizo. But I would happily use Rabbit and some Clams or Mussels as well.

I also added a few extra vegetables just to keep the calories low and the healthy high.

Here are my ingredients for 6 portions (10 Weightwatchers Points each):

300g Paella Rice

1 small Chicken

100g Chorizo, halved then sliced

100g raw shelled Prawns

80g mini Scallops

a handful of frozen Peas

a small bunch of Asparagus, cut into 1 inch length

a handful of Sugar snap peas

1 red Pepper, roughly chopped

1 red Onion, diced

2 garlic Cloves, sliced

a pinch of Saffron

a scattering of chopped parsley

1 Lemon cut into 6 wedges for garnish

Here is what I did with the Chicken. To make good use of the whole bird I first used the good meat for the dish, which I carefully cut off the chicken and then cut into largish chunks. The skin and bones I made into the Stock, with which I then cooked the Paella. Once ready I infused the Saffron in the Stock to give it a lovely color.

In a large pan fry the Chicken Pieces in a little olive oil, then remove them onto a plate. Next the Chorizo, Red Pepper, Onion and Garlic go in and everything get's tossed and sizzles for a little while. Measure the 300g of rice in a Measuring jug, so you know how much volume of stock to add. It takes about 1 1/2 times as much stock as rice. Which works out about 350ml ish.

So now the rice goes in with a little stir to absorb flavor and color, before the Chicken pieces rejoin the pan and 2/3 of the hot stock. If the stock is seasoned nicely then there is no need for extra salt. The Chorizo also helps  to flavor the Paella. Bring to a simmer, then cover and turn the heat to low.

After about 10 minutes gently stir in the green vegetables and the rest of the hot Stock. After 5 more minutes scatter the seafood on top, or better still place it decoratively.

Cover again and after 5 more minutes turn off the heat and leave the Paella to sit for yet another 5 minutes.

Arrange the Lemon Wedges around the side, sprinkle with the Parsley and serve in the Pan to your delighted guests.

I want to apologise for the lack of quality of my pictures. I cannot find my Camera cable, since moving house, so I'm using my Phone camera, which isn't my perfect idea of Photography. But it'll have to do until my cable is found.

Wat Dan Hor - Fried Noodles with Seafood in Gravy

When I go to a Chinese Restaurant on my own, I almost always have this dish. It is comforting and delicious with many different interesting ingredients, yet made so simply, without any fancy spices or herbs. It doesn't need anything like that.

Today I have recreated this dish at home for the first time. I was worried that it may not come out the same, but I surprised myself. The flavors and textures were exactly right.

Ingredients:

(serves 3)

250g Raw Prawns, shelled, deveined and cut in half lengthways

(I used only Prawns, but use any seafood that you fancy)

1 inch piece if Ginger, finely chopped

2-3 Garlic Cloves, chopped
A selection of Vegetables and exotic Mushrooms (Mange Tout, Chinese Cabbages, Shitake and other exotic Mushrooms, Spring Onion, Green Pepper, Carrot), all cut or sliced thinly so they cook evenly

300g Wok ready Rice Noodles, thick ones are better

1tsp Soy Sauce

200ml good Chicken Broth

1 heaped tsp Cornflour mixed with Water

2 tsp Vegetable Oil

Heat 1 tsp of the Oil in a Wok and stir fry the prawns (and seafood) until just cooked. (this will only take a couple of minutes) Set aside.

Add another tsp of the Oil and fry the noodles in the same Wok, giving them just a little bit of color on the edges, for that authentic Chinese Restaurant taste. Add a splash of Soy sauce, set aside and keep warm..

Now toss all the Vegetables in the Wok and stir fry for a few minutes. Then the Chicken broth goes in and the Cornflour sloshy. Stir until thickened. Return the Prawns (and Seafood), stir once more and it's ready to serve.

Pour the Gravy with all it's lovely Vegetables and Seafood over the Noodles and eat with Chopsticks.