Update my dinner status, I'm making this tonight.
1 chef marked this recipe as Favorite
Servings: 8 Servings
Total Time (median): 0 : 00 Active Time: 0 : 00
US/Metric: [convert to metric]
Ingredients
- 1 A handful of wood chips such as fruit or hickory (optional)
- 1 One large pinch saffron
- 2 quarts low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 pounds chicken thighs
- 1 Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 pound chorizo, cut into half-moons
- 1 medium onion peeled and finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 4 cups short-grain rice, such as arborio
- 1 pounds jumbo shrimp peeled, deveined chopped
- 1 cup fresh or frozen peas
- 2 dozen littleneck clams cleaned
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley (optional).
Preparation
1. If using, soak the wood chips in water. In a large pot, stir the saffron into the chicken broth and set over medium heat. Once hot, lower the heat and keep warm.
2. In an 18-inch paella pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. (A large, wide, shallow, flameproof saucepan may be substituted — or, in a pinch, an enameled Dutch oven.) Season the chicken thighs all over with salt and pepper and brown on all sides in the hot oil. Transfer to a plate. Cook the chorizo in the same pan until it starts to brown. Transfer to a second, paper-towel-lined plate. Remove the pan from the heat.
3. Light a charcoal grill with about a large cereal box’s worth of charcoal. Return the paella pan to the stove and set over medium-high heat. When hot, add the onion and cook until translucent, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and stir until fragrant, then add the rice and stir to coat. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Bring the stock, paella pan, chicken, chorizo and other ingredients to a table near the grill. When the fire is at its peak heat (all of the coals are lit, and you can hold your hand over the hottest part of the fire for only a few seconds), quickly stir the shrimp, chorizo and peas into the rice, then add 2 quarts of stock. Add the clams hinge-side up so that when they open in the heat, their juices are released into the rice. Nestle the chicken on top. Using thick gloves and a pair of tongs, carefully remove the grill grate. Drain the wood chips and drop them into the fire. Quickly replace the grill grate and set the paella pan on the grate. Cover the grill and cook the paella until all the liquid has absorbed, 25 to 30 minutes. If the rice is underdone, add another cup of stock and return to the fire for 5 to 7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste and, if you choose, top with parsley. Serves 8.
