RSVP Series(Grains) Valencia Rice - Vegetarian Paella

Paella (pi-AY-ya) is a saffron-flavoured dish made predominantly with shellfish and chicken. There are variations of course which include adding different types of vegetables and meat.The dish is made on a Paella which is nothing but a large shallow pan from which the name is derived. For more details refer here


Valencia Rice or the Paella rice is used for making the Spanish Paella and is so similar to Risotto Rice in appearance. These kinds of rice although are not as sturdy as risotto rice and needs to be cooked carefully so that they dont break down easily.

I have a vegetarian version which we adore and which takes very little time to cook.

Ingredients

• 1 cup Valencian Rice ( or any short grained rice )
  
  
• 2 cups warm water infused with a pinch of saffron (no saffron? Add turmeric while cooking)
  
  
• 1 onion, chopped
  
  
• 3-4 cloves of garlic, chopped
  
  
• 1 red Bell pepper, chopped
  
  
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
  
  
• 1 cup artichoke hearts ( canned ones will work great )
  
  
• 1/2 cup Chick peas, presoaked in water and cooked ( not overcooked )
  
  
• 1/2 cup peas
  
  
• 1 bay leaf and a sprig of thyme ( optional )
  
  
• cilantro for garnish
  

Method

1.Heat some olive oil in a large shallow pan. Add onions, tomatoes,bell peppers,garlic and bay leaf and saute it well.



2.Once slightly soft, add the rice and thyme and saute for 1 min. Add the saffron infused water, salt to taste and close the lid.



3.Cook till most of the water is absorbed. Now add chick peas, artichoke hearts and peas and stir slightly. If needed, add about 1/2 cup water more and close the lid.



4.Fluff once cooked and serve garnished with Cilantro.



Healthy and wholesome meal in a matter of minutes :) This is my entry to ARF -Tuesday Event hosted by Cate and to Susan's Legume Love Affair Event

Gazpacho - All the way from Spain!

I ate wayyyyy tooooo much last 2 days - Thanx to the Navarathri festivities! Hey, thanks a bunch for all your warm and thoughtful wishes, hope you had a grand time too!

As i was saying, i ate more than I can chew! Originally,traditionally, we are not supposed to include Onions and Garlic in our food, but down the line many don't follow that part of the tradition that much - I am as far away from that as I can! I cant think of cooking without Onions! I cook very less ( make that v.v.v.v less) items which abstains Onions. But we all love our customs and try to do as much as we can right? So I did cook the last 2 days without so much as a whiff of onions and garlic ..But oh boy! Did I eat! [yup this is the moment when u go back to the first line- read it,come back to this line and continue reading ;-) ]

Anyways, whenever we eat lots, the next couple of days is followed with mellowed down food and mostly consists of Soup in my home..I like to make it a one pot meal. This time wanted to try something different and tried Gazpacho Soup from my cookbook.




It is of spanish origin which is made of mainly bread,olive oil and garlic and is served cold. But additons are welcome indeed ; and I did make additions by way of tomatoes and served the soup warm - not cold! That along with some Zucchinni Patties made a wonderful dinner :) It is another one of those v simple meals which takes hardly any effort....here goes .

Ingredients

• 3 slices stale bread
  
  
• 2 cucumbers , peeled and seeded
  
  
• about 6 large tomatoes
  
  
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
  
  
• 1 green chilly
  
  
• 3 garlic cloves,minced
  
  
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  
  
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
  
  
• croutons for garnish
  
  
• Salt and pepper to taste
  
  

Method

1. Soak the bread in some water for 5 min.
2. Place the tomatoes in a bowl of boiling water. Leave it for about 15-20 min,then peel and chop the flesh.




3. Peel the cucumber, scoop out the seeds and chop the flesh.
4. Place the bread,tomatoes,cucumber,bell pepper,chilly,garlic,lemon juice,olive oil in a food processor with about 2 cups of water and blend till combined but still chunky ( not smooth )






5. Season it. Traditionally it is to be chilled for 1-2 hrs and then served. But my hubby likes things warm so, heated it till warm, topped it with some home made croutons and served it with hot Zucchinni Patties.

Wasn't that so simple and easy!. Its nutritious too with no added fat.