ALWAYS A WINNER PAELLA
This much-loved Spanish dish is the ideal one-pan supper. Traditionally made for Sunday lunch, it’s cooked over an aromatic open fire in a shady spot away from the fierce midday sun, with everyone diving into the finished creation to nab the choicest morsels
RECIPES AND FOOD STYLING JEN BEDLOE PHOTOGRAPHS TOBY SCOTT STYLING OLIVIA WARDLE
Valencian seafood noodle paella (fideuà)
Chicken paella with squid and beans
ROUNDLY SATISFYING Classic paella with chicken, squid and beans
SERVES 4-6. HANDS-ON TIME 60 MIN, PLUS RESTING
FOOD TEAM’S TIP
Buy calasparra rice in delis or online at ocado.com or brindisa.com.
KNOWHOW
The crust on the bottom of the paella pan, known as socarrat, is prized. Cook the rice over a high heat, then rest the dish at the end to let the crust set. Pimentón (Spanish smoked paprika) comes in dulce (sweet), agridulce (bittersweet/medium-hot) or picante (hot) varieties. Find it in larger supermarkets. We used the brand La Chinata.
• 4 tbsp olive oil
• 6 skin-on free-range chicken thighs, boned and cut in half
• ½ large Spanish onion, chopped
• 280g flat or runner beans (we used helda beans), chopped
• 150g prepared squid, chopped into 1cm pieces (see delicious. Kitchen for a guide to squid prep)