Julia’s Easy One-Pot Seafood Rice

Bring the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean straight to your kitchen with this wonderfully simple One-Pot Seafood Rice. Inspired by the classic Spanish paella, this dish is designed for ease and enjoyment, delivering a taste of sunshine without any fuss. Using a pre-prepared mix of delicious seafood makes it incredibly convenient, and the best part? It all comes together in a single pot, which means more time savoring your meal and less time washing up. It’s the perfect healthy, flavorful, and satisfying dish for a weeknight dinner or a relaxed weekend meal.

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 ½ cups paella rice (or Arborio rice)
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• A generous pinch of saffron threads (or ½ tsp turmeric for color)
• 4 cups warm chicken or fish stock
• 1 lb frozen mixed seafood (prawns, mussels, calamari), thawed
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1 lemon, cut into wedges
• A handful of fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

1. Warm the olive oil in a large, wide-bottomed pan or skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and bell pepper, and sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened and fragrant.
2. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until you can smell its wonderful aroma. Be careful not to let it burn.
3. Add the rice, smoked paprika, and saffron (or turmeric) to the pan. Stir continuously for about a minute to toast the rice and coat it evenly with the spices.
4. Pour in the warm stock, season with salt and pepper, and give it a gentle stir to combine everything. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a low simmer.
5. Let the rice cook, uncovered and without stirring, for about 15-18 minutes, or until most of the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is nearly tender.
6. Gently nestle the thawed mixed seafood into the rice. Cover the pan with a lid or foil and continue to cook for another 5-7 minutes, or until the seafood is cooked through and the prawns are pink.
7. Remove the pan from the heat and let it rest, still covered, for 5 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
8. Fluff the rice gently with a fork, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side for squeezing over.

A Perfect Pairing

To elevate your dining experience, we recommend pairing this dish with a glass of ¡H! Barcelona Hola Organic Cava Brut NV. This delightful, fruity fizz brings the expertise of Champagne’s finest to the vibrant organic grapes of Spain. Aged for 12 months, it offers crisp notes of green apple and grapefruit with a hint of fresh herbs, making it the perfect sparkling companion to cut through the richness of the seafood and complement the dish’s sunny flavors.

Nutrition Information

The following is an estimate for one serving (recipe serves 4).