The summer was rather pathetic this year and what’s left of it seems to be disappearing fast. Here’s a Spanish recipe that is a little spicy and should get rid of those summer blues. This is great hot or cold and it’s actually really healthy too.

Beef Baby’s Paella (recipe for 3)

Ingredients

1 red onion chopped
1 yellow pepper chopped
1 clove garlic
1 tin of chopped tomatoes
Rice for 3 people
1 chicken/fish stock cube
300g chicken/frozen shrimp (better with shrimp)
Handful peas
Turmeric, or if you are feeling rich saffron
Paprika
Mixed herbs
Black pepper
Chorizo sausage (optional)

Method

Using a big non-stick frying pan, fry the onions, yellow pepper and garlic for a few minutes
Dissolve the stock cube in half pint of water, and add that with the can of tomatoes to the pan
Add the rice, 1 teaspoon turmeric/saffron, 1 teaspoon of paprika and a half teaspoon of black pepper
Let the mixture boil for 10-15mins until the rice is cooked; stir once in a while (if you are adding chicken, and the same time fry the chicken in a separate pan until ready)
You may need to add more water because the rice is not yet done but all the water has gone
Once the paella is almost ready, add the peas and frozen shrimp/chicken (and chorizo) and stir
Sprinkle with mixed herbs and serve with toasted pitta bread