Spring Vegetable Paella Recipes

Steps:

• Heat 3 cups water in a saucepan over high heat until steaming; reduce the heat to low and cover to keep hot. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a paella pan or very large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the cauliflower and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until browned in spots, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.
• Add 2 more tablespoons olive oil to the skillet. Add the mushrooms in an even layer and season with salt and pepper. Increase the heat to high and cook, stirring, until browned and tender, 4 to 5 minutes.
• Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, the scallion whites, garlic and paprika; stir until the paprika is toasted, 30 seconds. Stir in the wine and cook until the pan is almost dry, about 1 minute. Add 3 cups hot water, the cauliflower, rice, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Stir once to distribute the ingredients but don?t stir again. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium low; cover with a lid or foil and cook until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender, about 14 minutes.
• Uncover and arrange the roasted pepper and olives on top. Increase the heat to medium to crisp the bottom, moving the pan for even browning, about 1 more minute. Top with the parsley and scallion greens.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Position two racks evenly spaced in the oven.
• Put the bell peppers, fennel, eggplants, and red onion in a large bowl, add 1/2 cup olive oil, 1 tablespoon salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper, and toss. Divide the vegetables between two sheet pans and spread in one layer. Roast for 45 minutes, tossing occasionally.
• Meanwhile, heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat in a 14- to 16-inch paella pan or large (11-inch) Dutch oven, such as Le Creuset. Add the yellow onions and saute for 6 to 8 minutes, until tender. Add the garlic and saffron and cook for one minute. Add the rice and cook for 2 minutes, stirring to coat the rice with oil. Place the jarred peppers (including their liquid) and paprika in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade and process until pureed. Pour the mixture into the paella pan, stirring to combine, and bring to a boil. Add 1 cup of the hot stock and 2 teaspoons salt and cook uncovered over medium heat for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the liquid is mostly absorbed, as you would cook risotto. Continue to cook the rice over medium heat for about 20 minutes, stirring in 1 cup of hot stock at a time whenever the liquid is absorbed, until the rice is al dente
• Add the vegetables to the paella, add one more cup of stock, and stir carefully. If the paella is dry, add more hot stock. Off the heat, stir in the Manchego cheese, olives, and scallions. Taste for seasonings and serve hot.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Core the tomatoes, cut into wedges and place in a medium bowl; season with salt, drizzle with a bit of olive oil and toss. Set aside.
• Heat 1/4 cup olive oil in a 12-inch ovenproof skillet or a paella pan over medium-high heat. Add the onion, garlic, paprika, cayenne and saffron and season with salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens, about 5 minutes.
• Add the fennel wedges and cook until lightly browned on one side, about 5 minutes. Flip the fennel and add the baby artichokes and eggplant to the skillet; cook until slightly tender, about 4 more minutes. Add the mushrooms and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Pour in the wine and simmer until reduced by about one-third. Stir in the rice and 1 3/4 teaspoons salt; add just enough water to cover the rice completely, 2 1/2 to 3 cups. Increase the heat to high and boil for 2 to 3 minutes. Scatter the haricots verts and 2 tablespoons capers over the rice. Remove the pan from the heat and arrange the tomatoes on top; drizzle with any tomato juices.
• Transfer the paella to the oven and bake, undisturbed, for 20 minutes. Scatter the remaining 2 tablespoons capers and the piquillo peppers over the paella. Turn off the oven but leave the paella inside to continue cooking until the rice is tender, 15 to 20 more minutes. Garnish with parsley, if desired

Steps:

• Cook asparagus and broccoli in enough boiling water to cover in 2-quart saucepan about 4 minutes or until crisp-tender; drain.
• Heat oil in 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Cook asparagus, broccoli, bell pepper, zucchini and onion in oil about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onion is crisp-tender.
• Stir in remaining ingredients. Cook about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until hot.

Steps:

• Drain the artichoke hearts, reserving the brine.
• Quarter the artichoke hearts and set aside.
• Add water to the artichoke brine to make 2 1/2 cups of liquid and combine it with the rice, salt,and saffron in a heavy saucepan with a tight-fitting lid.
• Cover and bring to a boil on high heat.
• Reduce the heat and very gently simmer until the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed, 45 to 60 minutes.
• When the rice has simmered for about 25 minutes, saute the onions, celery, and garlic in the olive oil on medium-high heat for about 5 minutes, until the onions soften.
• Add the thyme, bell peppers, and asparagus, cover,and saute on medium heat,stirring frequently, for 5 minutes.
• Add the peas, tomatoes, and reserved artichoke hearts, stir well, cover, and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes,until the vegetables are tender.
• Add salt and pepper to taste.
• To serve the paella, spread the rice on a large platter or in a large bowl.
• Top the rice with the vegetables and their juices.
• Sprinkle with chopped chives or scallions and steamed snow peas,if you like.
• Enjoy!