Paella with Persian Fetta
SERVES 4
INGREDIENTS
2 large beef or chicken sausages with casings removed and inside rolled into small balls
2 tbsp olive oil
½ each of a fresh green and a fresh red pepper (capsicum) finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 small brown onion, finely chopped
salt & pepper
a good pinch of saffron
½ tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp sweet paprika
200g paella rice Bomba or Calasparra
100g roasted peppers (capsicum) in a jar or from a deli
½ tin or 200g diced tomatoes
700ml fish or chicken stock (with 200ml extra on hand)
8 mussels, de-bearded
12 clams or pipi’s
12 prawns deveined, tails on
2 squid tubes (calamari) scored and cut into triangles
2 lemons 1 cut into wedges for garnish
3 tbsp roughly chopped parsley
2 tsp of dried chilli flakes
METHOD
Heat a paella pan or large frying pan on medium heat. Add two good lugs of olive oil, allow to heat slightly then add your sausage balls. Sauté for 5-8 mins, stirring occasionally, then add the chopped fresh peppers, onion, garlic, saffron, salt and pepper. Sauté for approx. 10 mins or till veg start to soften.
Add the rice and roasted peppers (capsicum), stir till the rice is coated in all the pan goodness. Add the tinned tomatoes and stock, and a touch more seasoning. Reduce to a gentle simmer, stirring often for approx. 15 mins. Should the rice not be fully cooked or the dish appears too dry, add extra stock and stir.
Add the mussels, clams and prawns and continue to simmer for 5 mins. The prawns should be turning pink and the mussels and clams will begin to open.
Add the squid (calamari) and cook for another 4-5 mins.
Remove from heat and discard any mussels or clams that didn’t open. Check seasoning, adding more if needed. Squeeze over the juice of one lemon and sprinkle with the chopped parsley and dried chilli flakes.
Finish by crumbling generously with the Yarra Valley Dairy Persian Fetta tucking it into the crevices around the rice and seafood. Serve with lemon wedges.