Seafood Paella
As we are all working on boosting our immunity, I thought of preparing a wholesome and nutrient rich Seafood Paella for the family! The shellfish in this recipe are rich in iron, zinc, magnesium and vitamin B12. Zinc in particular helps fight off colds and upper respiratory infections, acts like an anti-oxidant and reduces inflammation due to bacterial or viral illnesses. Vitamin B12 is great for mental health and also ensures that we are building enough red blood cells to carry the oxygen we need for our energy and hence immunity. Shellfish are also rich Omega-3 fatty acids which provide brain and heart health.
Ginger and garlic both have anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties. A dose of them everyday is great for boosting your immune system.
In this recipe I chose to use Cobia fillets, however you can use any other firm white fish like Cod, Haddock, Monkfish amongst others. The mussels I used were farmed and so did not need brushing and bearding like you would need to do for wild mussels. The squid just needed to be washed and have it's beak and eyes removed. I cut it into pieces - this time instead of cutting them into circular pieces I cut them into long pieces. If you are not too fond of squid, you can use scallops instead.
Serves 6.
Ingredients:
White fish - 200 gms
Mussels - 1 kg
Prawns - 200 gms
Squid - 200 gms
Tomatoes - 2 medium size
Carrots - 1 1/2 large size
Onion - 1 medium size
Ginger - 2 tbsp
Garlic - 1 tbsp
Fresh long Red Chilli peppers - 2 tbsps
Basil leaves - 5-6
Lemon juice - 1/4 cup
Cracked black pepper - 2 tsp
Pink Himalayan salt - 2 tsp
Saffron - pinch
White wine - 1 glass
Jasmine rice - 1 1/2 cup
Bunch of coriander
Olive oil - 2 tbsp
Fish or vegetable stock - 2 cups
Preparation:
Chopped vegetable prep
Chop tomatoes, carrots, onions, garlic, ginger and long red chilli
Seafood prep
De-vein the prawns
Slice the squid into long pieces
Cut the Fish into small pieces
Method:
Cook all chopped vegetables in 1 tbsp of olive oil on low heat
Add a pinch of saffron to the wine and leave for 5 minutes
Then add basil to the veggies, 1 tsp salt, wine and saffron, stock, lemon juice, 1 tsp black pepper and continue cooking till half cooked
Chopped veggies cooking on low fire with salt, wine, water, saffron, black pepper
Cook all fish except mussels in a another pan and add 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper till the fish gets it's colour, then close the lid
Prawns, Squid and White Fish with salt and black pepper
Add mussels to the fish and cover and cook till the mussels open up - around 30 seconds
Add the uncooked rice and the partially cooked fish to the pan with the veggies
Sprinkle coriander leaves on top, cover and cook on low fire for 10-15 minutes
Fish cooking with rice
And it is ready to be served!
Seafood Paella