A traditional Spanish dish adapted for cooking on a barbecue grill plate, barbecue gas burner or a large gas burner.
Paella de Catalana
This recipe is adapted from the traditional Catalan Paella, a dish that is typically cooked over an open fire. This version is designed for cooking on a barbecue grill plate, barbecue gas burner or a large gas burner, making it more accessible for those without an open fire setup.
Ingredients
- 500 g salt cod, soaked in cold water for 48 hours, changing the water four times
- 150 ml extra virgin olive oil
- 1 garlic bulb
- 1 bunch of thyme
- 1.5 kg farmed white rabbit, cut into 12 pieces
- 1 large brown onion, finely chopped
- 1 red capsicum (pepper), seeded and membranes removed, cut into 1 cm chunks
- 1 green capsicum (pepper), seeded and membranes removed, cut into 1 cm chunks
- 4 ripe tomatoes, peeled and chopped
- 450 g tin of artichokes preserved in brine, drained and quartered
- 400 g bomba rice
Directions
- Drain the salt cod, then trim off any fins and dark or brown flesh. Run your hands along the flesh and cut out the bones as you find them. Cut the flesh into six equal portions. Cover and refrigerate until required.
- Place a 42-45 cm paellera or paella pan over very high heat. This heat source could be a barbecue flat plate, some coals on a wood barbecue or a very hot gas burner. Add 80 ml of the olive oil and cook the whole garlic bulb in the oil until the skin begins to blacken, turning frequently. Remove the garlic from the pan and reserve. Add half the thyme sprigs to the oil, being careful as the oil will spit. Cook for 1 minute, then remove and discard the thyme. Add the rabbit pieces, season well and cook on each side for 5 minutes, or until well browned.
- Transfer the rabbit to a heavy-based saucepan, reserving the oil in the paella pan. Add enough water to the saucepan to just cover the rabbit and season with salt. Bring to the boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 30 minutes. Remove from the heat, then remove the rabbit pieces from the pan. Strain the stock, reserving 800 ml, and keep it hot.
- Meanwhile, to make the sofrito, heat the remaining olive oil in the paella pan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and sauté for 5 minutes, or until lightly browned. Add all the capsicum and cook, stirring regularly, for 12-15 minutes, or until soft. Season to taste, then add the chopped tomato and cook, stirring regularly, for another 15–20 minutes, or until the sofrito has a jam-like consistency.
- Add the artichokes and reserved garlic bulb to the paella pan, then pour in the rice and stir for 2 minutes, or until well coated. Pour in the reserved hot stock, then place the rabbit pieces, cod and the remaining thyme sprigs evenly over the rice. Bring to the boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-high and simmer, uncovered, for 18 minutes — do not stir.
- Remove from the heat, cover with a clean cloth and allow to stand for 10 minutes, or as long as it takes everyone to get to the table and be seated. Serve with a glass of a Spanish red such as maius or tempranillo.
- Remember, you need to concentrate on the cooking and not be distracted. Having a level cooking surface is important because if the paellera is on an angle, the liquid will go to one end and the rice at the other end will not cook. Some people have been known to get out the spirit level — not a silly idea if you have one!