Prawn, squid ink and bacon paella
The addition of squid ink puts a spin on a Spanish paella. Make sure you use a smoky bacon. Octopus can be easily substituted for the squid, if desired. Don't stir the paella once cooking has begun - the crust that forms on the bottom of the pan is the best bit, and well worth fighting over.
Ingredients
50ml extra virgin olive oil
1 red onion, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
sea salt
8 small squid tubes, cleaned and cut into 5mm-thick slices
4 rashers of smoked bacon, cut into 5mm dice
1 tsp chilli flakes
1 tsp smoky hot paprika
2 tbsp squid ink
1 tbsp tomato paste
300g paella rice
1.25 litres chicken stock (check gluten-free if required)
8 medium king prawns, peeled
4 tbsp flat-leaf parsley, chopped
freshly ground pepper
aioli, to serve
Method
Heat the olive oil in a paella pan or a heavy-based frying pan over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and a little sea salt and gently cook for a few minutes.
Add the squid and bacon and stir through for 3-4 minutes. Add the chilli flakes, paprika, squid ink and tomato paste, stir through, then add the rice and chicken stock. Stir and bring to a simmer.
Add the prawns and fold through, then leave to cook for 20 minutes, or until liquid has evaporated. Remove the pan from the heat, cover with a tea towel to keep warm and allow to rest for 5 minutes.
Sprinkle with parsley and give a good grind of pepper. Serve with aioli on the side.
Photography by William Meppem. Food styling by Hannah Meppem. Food preparation by Nick Banbury.
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Original URL: https://www.theage.com.au/goodfood/recipes/prawn-squid-ink-and-bacon-paella-20140901-3enop.html