Spanish Rice Dish With Various Vegetables

Spanish Rice Dish With Various Vegetables

Delve into the flavours of Spain with this delightful vegetable paella recipe, a vegetarian and vegan-friendly twist on the traditional dish. This colourful and aromatic dish is perfect for weekday meals, Meatless Mondays, or any day you crave a burst of greens.

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 ½ cups short-grain rice (Arborio or similar)
• 3 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp ground turmeric
• Pinch of saffron threads or ½ tsp saffron powder
• Optional: ¼ tsp cayenne pepper for heat
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Method:

1. Heat olive oil in a paella pan or large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté onion, garlic, and bell peppers until softened and caramelized. Add cherry tomatoes and cook briefly.
2. Stir in rice, coating grains in oil and vegetables. Add smoked paprika, turmeric, saffron, cayenne (if using), salt, and pepper.
3. Carefully pour in vegetable broth, spreading rice evenly without stirring after this point.
4. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low. Add chickpeas and peas evenly on top. Cover and cook for about 20 minutes or until rice is tender and liquid absorbed, aiming for a crispy bottom layer (socarrat).
5. Remove from heat; drizzle lemon juice over the top and garnish with parsley before serving.

For an extra protein boost, top your vegetable paella with a can of rinsed chickpeas. This recipe offers a flavourful, vegetarian and vegan paella experience, staying true to the classic technique of browning vegetables first and incorporating chickpeas for protein and texture.

Pairing Suggestions:

• Serve the vegetable paella alongside a dairy-free chickpea salad for a balanced meal.
• Cauliflower Alfredo, another dairy-free dish, pairs well with the chickpea salad.

This vegetable paella originated in Valencia, on the eastern coast of Spain, and has since become a beloved dish worldwide. With its vibrant colours and tantalizing flavours, this simple yet sophisticated dish is sure to impress. Enjoy!

[1] Expert Vegan Paella Recipe - [Link to Source] [2] Vegan Paella Recipe - [Link to Source] [4] Traditional Vegan Paella Recipe - [Link to Source]

1. Incorporating science and nutrition, this vegan-friendly vegetable paella recipe provides a healthy-diet option for those seeking food-and-drink alternatives that align with a health-and-wellness lifestyle.
2. Enhance your lifestyle with this aromatic vegetable paella, a vegetarian Spain-inspired dish featuring science-backed ingredients such as bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and peas.
3. For those passionate about sustainable and vibrant approaches to food-and-drink, this vegetable paella boasts a wonderful combination of traditional Spanish flavours and a modern, upscale lifestyle aesthetic.

Read also: