Try this Vegetable Paella for a perfectly delicious meatless meal.
If youre ever looking for a meatless meal to have for dinner, this is a fun one to try. There are so many flavors going on in paella, so its a really different kind of dinner to make and enjoy.
I first tried this Vegetable Paella years ago when I was part of a gourmet dinner party group. One of the couples in our group hosted a Cuban Themed Dinner Party, and this paella was served alongside Sangria Roasted Pork.
What is Paella?
This is a popular rice dish with roots in Valencia, Spain. Some will say its known as the one of the best known dishes in Spanish cuisine. The word Paella means frying pan in Valencias regional language. So the name fits since since Paella is typically cooked in a wide, shallow traditional pan over an open fire. At home cooks, make paella on the stove instead.
There are several variations of paella. Seafood paella is probably the most commonly known variety seen in restaurants and such. Mixed paella can be made too with both seafood and meat combined. And of course vegetable paella is the vegetarian version that Im sharing today.
How to make Vegetable Paella:
On the stovetop, youll saut mushrooms and then set them aside. In a separate large skillet, youll saut garlic, onion and bell peppers. Then youll add Arborio rice (the same rice you use for risotto), crushed saffron and salt. At this point, youll add the broth and then cover the pan with foil.
In the oven, the pan of rice and vegetables is baked for 8 minutes. Then youll take the pan out of the oven and stir in the sauted mushrooms, artichoke hearts, carrot, peas and tomato. The pan is covered again and baked for another 8 minutes. Then the foil is removed, and the paella is baked for another 10 minutes uncovered. Finally, the Vegetable Paella is topped with sliced olives and roasted red pepper. Lemon wedges are included for serving.
Vegetable Paella is a great dish to serve on its own with perhaps a delicious salad to accompany it. I love to serve it with grilled meat. And its one of those dishes thats a nice surprise for your guests. They see the pan of this beautiful paella, and they are happy to try out something so unique and interesting. Give it a shot for dinner one of these days, and let me know what you think!
Here are a few more vegetarian recipes you might like to try:
- Garden Vegetable Quiche
- Cacio e Pepe
- Creamy Broccoli Soup
- Vegetarian Baked Taquitos
- Linguine with Tomatoes, Basil and Brie
- Spinach- Ricotta Stuffed Peppers
- Greek Spinach Pie
- Butternut Squash Stuffed Shells
Vegetable Paella
Amazing meatless meal!
- 8 ounces mushrooms, (quartered)
- 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, (divided)
- 3 medium garlic cloves, (chopped)
- 1 cup diced onion
- 1 medium red bell pepper, (diced)
- 1 medium green bell pepper, (diced)
- 16 ounces uncooked Valencia or Arborio rice
- 1 teaspoon saffron, (crushed)
- 1 teaspoons salt
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 9 ounces frozen artichoke hearts, (thawed)
- 1/2 cup diced carrot
- 1/2 cup frozen petite peas
- 1 medium tomato, (diced)
- 1/3 cup sliced pimiento stuffed olives
- 1/4 cup sliced green onions
- 1/4 cup roasted red bell pepper, (cut into strips)
- 3 medium lemons, (cut into wedges)
-
Preheat the oven to 400F.
-
Saut the mushrooms in 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat 2 to 3 minutes or until soft and light brown; set aside.
-
Heat the remaining oil in a paella pan or 12-inch ovenproof skillet, and saut the garlic, onion, and peppers 8 minutes or until soft. Add the rice, saffron and salt, and stir until the rice is coated with oil. Add the broth, and bring the mixture to a boil.
-
Cover the pan with aluminum foil, place in the oven and bake for 8 minutes. Stir in the reserved mushrooms, artichoke hearts, carrot, peas and tomato; cover and bake 8 minutes more. Remove the foil, and bake 8 to 12 minutes more or until heated through. Remove the pan from the oven, and top with olives, green onions, roasted pepper and lemon wedges.
- *If you are preparing this recipe as GLUTEN FREE, just be sure to use a brand of vegetable broth that is designated as GF. Most pimiento-stuffed olives are GF, but best to check those too.
The post Vegetable Paella appeared first on Recipe Girl.