Easy Seafood Paella

Paella is a Spanish dish well loved by Filipinos. There are several ways of preparing Paella.

The one I love best is the seafood paella. Most are often intimidated to cook paella, it being a special spanish recipe. It's even expensive if we order one in a classy local restaurant. But hey,we can always dish up an easy one in our kitchen- filipino style! Even without the paellera :) Here's how ....

Easy Filipino Seafood Paella

Easy Paella

Ingredients:

 2 cups uncooked rice (preferably round rice)

100g tomato sauce

300g squid (cut into rings)

300g prawns 

30 pcs mussels (or more)

2 pcs chorizo de bilbao(diagonally sliced into thin pieces)

2 pcs red bell pepper (strips)
1 pc green bell pepper (strips)

100g green peas

1 tsp paprika

2 cloves garlic

1 onion

1/2 tsp safflower (or as desired) also known as kasubha in tagalog
 (saffron is expensive - this is the best substitute)

salt (to taste)

2 tbsp atsuete oil

5 cups water (approximately)

3 eggs (hard boiled)

2-3 cups mussel broth

How to prepare:

• In a pot, cook the mussels with about 3 cups of water. Don't overcook. When the shells open up, it's done. Remove the water,set aside. We'll be using this as the broth. 
• Because we don't have the paellera, we'll be using a wok or just pan with lid.
• In a wok/pan over low heat, saute half of the onions and garlic in olive oil. Add the chorizo. Stir.
• Add the squid and tomato sauce.Add 1 cup water and safflower.Stir.Cook for 2 minutes. Add the prawns,stir. Stir. Add the green peas and bell pepper.
• Cook for a minute. Then take out all mixed ingredients from the pan, leaving the sauce.
• Then add the rice.Stir well to coat well with the sauce. Add the broth. Season with salt to taste. Cover. Cook for about 15 minutes. 
• Then put back all the cooked ingredients, mix, and artistically arrange pieces on top of the rice. Cook for another 15 minutes.Add water if you think it is too dry, do not stir, just shake the pan so you will not upset the pattern (the ingredients designed on top). If the rice is cooked, then it is ready to serve. Layer sliced hard-boiled egg on top. Enjoy!