Mekhala Energy Rice Paella

Impress your family & friends with this gorgeous dish that is best enjoyed shared! Mekhala's range of organic rice and rice blends is perfect for making Paella, which is best made using short-grain rice. The sesame seeds, mung beans and 3 different types of rice (red, brown and black) in our Energy Rice add a beautiful colour and extra texture to our take on this classic!

Ingredients

(Serves 4 people)

2.5 Cups Mekhala Organic Energy Rice, rinsed

500ml Chicken or vegetable stock

600ml Water

2 Tbsp olive oil

4 Cloves garlic, chopped

1/2 Medium onion, diced

3 Chicken legs & 3 Chicken thighs

2 Chorizo, sliced

1 Squid, cleaned & sliced (optional)

1/2 Cup frozen peas

1/2 Cup red or yellow capsicum, diced

3 Tbsp store-bought paella spice mix

1 Lemon, quartered

Small handful of parsley, chopped

Method

1. Add olive oil to a 12-inch paella pan or heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat.

2. Pan-fry chicken pieces skin-side down for 1 minute, then turn over and fry for another 1 minute. Repeat until all sides are brown. Remove chicken pieces from pan, leaving oil behind.

3. Add chorizo, onions & garlic to the pan and fry until brown (about 1 minute). Add the Mekhala Organic Energy Rice & paella spice mix to pan and fry to coat well.

4. Carefully pour stock in, sprinkle peas & capsicum over, then carefully place chicken pieces skin-side down, spacing them out, in the pan. Bring to a simmer then turn heat down to medium-low. Do NOT stir, or rice may become gloopy.

5. When liquid is almost dried up, turn the chicken pieces skin-side up (skin should be slightly charred), arrange squid evenly on top of the rice, then add the water.

6. Continue simmering until liquid dries up (about 1hr - 1 1/4 hrs). Rice should be cooked al dente and, ideally, slightly charred on the bottom.

7. Sprinkle parsley over and serve with lemon wedges.