Seafood Paella

[Stevi]

Hi All,

I am looking to make a seafood paella this coming weekend and have seen many different recipes on the net.
Some have the traditional chicken, chirizio, and seafood mix, while others just use chicken, prawns and mussels.

From your experiences, what is the best combo? I saw some websites suggested using a bag of frozen seafood mix, would this be the same as using fresh seafood?

Also, any tips or tricks you have learnt while doing this that makes it taste or look that little bit better?

TIA

 

[Bighit]

I don't like the seafood mix because it contains a lot of crab sticks, usually get some prawns and muscles, or cube some fresh hake. I usually make it with this recipe, the packet costs about R14 and they have contacts around the country: http://www.nicenspicy.co.za

 

[fish_man]

So i actually made paella yesterday for the very first time and i used the following recipe, was very easy.

http://www.lecreuset.co.za/recipes/seafood-paella/

I used chicken breast cut in cubes, chirizio, and seafood mix also used crayfish i had.
Here are some pics

the Chorizo

The Seafood Mix and prawns/muscles (no crab sticks as i also hate those)

the Crayfish

The end result

 

[I.am.Sam]

looks good fishman

but woolies are ridiculously overpriced on they seafood

 

[Compton_effect]

That is the nice thing about Paella - its named after the metod and the pan used.
You can put in anyting you like over the rice (or risotto). The best one I ever had was with snails and pork.
Here's a good link about the basics - http://www.thepaellacompany.co.uk/paella-tips.html and http://somethingnewfordinner.com/methods/method-paella/

Have fun.

 

[fish_man]

looks good fishman

but woolies are ridiculously overpriced on they seafood

The seafood mix was about R59 per pack same for the mussels. The prawns was R180 but i took a big pack can't remember the size

 

[Ancalagon]

I cook this from time to time, unfortunately it doesn't freeze well.

Some things I have learned.

Remember that paella was originally peasant food. It is nice to have a seafood paella with crayfish and prawn, but it is optional. Most of mine contain chorizo, chicken and bacon.

If you use chorizo, buy the woolies chorizo which is the real deal, imported from Spain. The locally made stuff is rubbish.

If you use chicken, I recommend using cubed breast fillet. Chicken pieces tend to take longer to cook than the rice does.

 

[I.am.Sam]

The seafood mix was about R59 per pack same for the mussels. The prawns was R180 but i took a big pack can't remember the size

i never buy from them cause its like over R100 for hake and R200+ for kingklip

Food lovers and a fish shop in woodstock sell good stuff for way cheaper

 

[Ancalagon]

Also remember that using your Discovery card healthyfood cashback means you get a 25% on all seafood, including (as far as I have seen) shellfish.

 

[Stevi]

Awesome stuff. Thanks guys.
Will let you know how it goes

 

[bokdrol]

OMG! My mouth is watering uncontrollably.

 

[Alan]

Firstly get one of these.

http://www.takealot.com/cadac-47cm-non-stick-aluminium-paella-pan/PLID26792677

I've only had poor results using mixed seafood. As has been said they seem to consist mainly of crab sticks. The key is getting the socarrat right. It's all about getting the the rice done probably. Not as easy as it sounds

http://www.nicenspicy.co.za

that is interesting thanks.

 

[I.am.Sam]

alan cooks ..who would have thunk it