Making Paella the Midwest Way

In this video, I’m making a Midwest version of Spanish paella. Traditionally, paella uses bomba rice, but here in the Midwest that can be tough to find — so I’m using arborio rice instead. I’m also switching up the proteins in it. Normally traditional paella uses chicken and rabbit. Well… I’m happy to report all the bunnies in my neighborhood are still happily hopping around. This was a fun one to do… I had paella  for the first time during our Mediterranean cruise. The absolute best I had was in Barcelona Spain. Watch the video to see if mine comes close. Recipe Paella with Arborio Rice Ingredients (serves ~4) • 1 cup arborio rice • 2 ¼ cups chicken or seafood stock (hot) • 2 Tbsp olive oil • 1 small onion, finely chopped • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 1 bell pepper, chopped • 1 tomato, grated or finely chopped • ½ tsp smoked paprika • Pinch of saffron (optional but authentic) • Salt & pepper to taste • Optional proteins/veggies (mix & match): • - 4–6 chicken drumsticks or thighs • - 1/2 lb chorizo sausage • - 6–8 mussels or clams • - 6–8 shrimp, peeled & deveined • - ½ cup squid rings or firm fish cubes • - ½ cup green beans, peas, or roasted red peppers Instructions 1 1. Build the base: Heat olive oil in a wide paella pan or large skillet. Brown chicken and chorizo if using; remove and set aside. In the same pan, sauté onion, garlic, bell pepper, and tomato until softened (sofrito). Stir in paprika and saffron. 2 2. Add rice & liquid (start 18–20 min timer): Stir in arborio rice for 1–2 minutes to coat. Pour in the hot stock, spread rice evenly across the pan. Do not stir again. 3 3. 10 minutes in: Add mussels, clams, squid, or firm veggies (like green beans). Nestle them into the rice. 4 4. 15 minutes in: Add shrimp, scallops, or delicate veggies (peas, roasted red peppers). 5 5. 18–20 minutes in: Liquid should be mostly absorbed, rice tender but not mushy. Turn heat up slightly for 1–2 minutes to create the socarrat (crispy bottom). 6 6. Rest & Serve: Remove from heat, cover with foil or a clean towel. Rest 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy! #MidwestPaella #EasyPaella #PaellaRecipe #ArborioRice #SpanishFood #HomemadePaella #ComfortFood #MidwestCooking #SeafoodPaella #CookingAtHome Please join us in the Rob Mob Facebook group :  https://m.facebook.com/groups/226708843531001