I’ve always wanted to make paella, and since I’m creating culinary delights from around the world for Vegan MoFo this year, it was a perfect time to try it.
I even have a paella pan, brought back from a trip to Spain three years ago (and not, until tonight, used… I hang my chef hat in shame).
I chose this recipe, which I’ve had bookmarked for awhile. I followed the recipe very closely, the only changes I made were to omit the aubergine (eggplant), add a small packet of vegan shrimp, and cut the olive oil to three tablespoons. Since my paella pan was a bit smaller, I had to adjust the amount of water and rice as well, because a full recipe wouldn’t fit in the pan.
It was lip-smackingly delicious. It did turn out a bit too soupy though, so I’ll tweak the recipe next time I make it (which I’ve promised Mr Thrifty, will be soon).
The sofrito, used to season the paella, was super-easy to make. I did cut the amount of oil in half for the sofrito.
All in all, a very successful first attempt at this Spanish classic.
¡Buen provecho!
I really need to try a paella. I haven’t had any since coming to Spain, you just can’t trust the restaurants understanding what animal products are.
This looks wonderful!
Oh, wow, that is gorgeous! And hats off to you for doing paella, which has always sounded too… meaty…. to undertake!
I am impressed with your vegan paella. It really does look delicious!
Hola fron Spain.
You have to taste with seafood, don’t forget the olive oil, that’s the different!
Bye!
Hi Soldebreda — I know paella is traditionally made with seafood, but being vegan means I won’t be trying that version. I did use Spanish olive oil to make it, and it was delicious!
Felicity,
How wonderful this sounds! I, too, have a “not-yet-used” paella pan from Spain. Let’s hold these heads up proud (I’m just not into guilt!) and just enjoy our pans and the thrill of knowing we lugged them all the way home. Are you able/willing to share the final version of the recipe that you used? ¡Muchas gracias!
Julia (recent vegan of just over a year and “lovin’ it!)
Hi Julie — I will have to have a look for my paella notes… I don’t have the recipe I used typed in, so no doubt it will be scrawled on a scrap of paper somewhere 🙂
Congrats on your one-year veganniversary!