VEGETABLE PAELLA WITH CHORIZO

Vegetable Paella With Chorizo image

This weeknight paella comes together in just three basic steps: Sweat the aromatics, bake until tender, then return to the stovetop to cook until the rice becomes crunchy. It becomes even more weeknight-friendly if you take advantage of store-bought pre-cut vegetables to cut down on prep time. For a more protein-rich dish, season a dozen medium shrimp with olive oil, salt and pepper and nestle them into the paella during the last 5 minutes of baking. If preparing the dish for vegetarians, skip the chorizo, swap in vegetable broth and add an extra pinch of paprika, if desired. The only non-negotiable step is finishing the paella over direct flame on the stovetop so the rice at the bottom of the pan forms a delectable crust, also known as soccarat.

Provided by Kay Chun

Categories grains and rice, sausages, main course

Time 45m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup finely chopped yellow or white onion (about 1/2 small onion)
5 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 1/2 cups medium-grain paella rice, such as Bomba or Calasparra (about 10 ounces)
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
Kosher salt and black pepper
3 1/2 cups 1-inch cauliflower florets (about 10 ounces)
2 1/2 cups halved brussels sprouts, quartered if large (about 10 ounces)
1 cup fresh or frozen peas (about 5 ounces)
1/4 pound/4 ounces cured Spanish chorizo sausage, skin removed, sliced 1/4-inch thick
3 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
Chopped scallions and lemon wedges, for serving

Steps:

Heat oven to 450 degrees. In a 12-inch cast-iron or ovenproof skillet, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add tomato paste and cook, stirring, until lightly caramelized, about 2 minutes. Stir in rice, paprika and remaining 1 tablespoon oil; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until well combined and rice begins to toast, about 1 minute.
Stir in cauliflower, brussels sprouts, peas, chorizo and broth, season with salt and pepper and bring to a boil over high heat. Transfer to the oven and bake, uncovered and without stirring, until rice is tender and all of the liquid is absorbed, about 20 minutes.
Transfer paella to stovetop and cook over medium heat, without stirring, to crisp up the bottom layer of rice, 2 to 3 minutes. You will hear it crackle; be careful not to burn. Let stand for 5 minutes, then sprinkle with scallions and serve with lemon wedges.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 597, UnsaturatedFat 16 grams, Carbohydrate 78 grams, Fat 23 grams, Fiber 6 grams, Protein 22 grams, SaturatedFat 6 grams, Sodium 1177 milligrams, Sugar 6 grams