Barcelona's BEST-KEPT Rice Recipe | Arroz Meloso con Bacalao

bacalao

🥗Healthier: fresh cod

💰Cheaper: pollock

Fresh cod is lighter and less salty, while pollock is more affordable.

fish stock

🥗Healthier: vegetable stock

💰Cheaper: water with seasoning

Vegetable stock provides flavor without fish, and water is the most economical.

saffron

🥗Healthier: turmeric

💰Cheaper: annatto

Turmeric offers color and health benefits, while annatto is a budget-friendly color substitute.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Avocado oil has a higher smoke point, and canola oil is less expensive.

Heat 1 liter of vegetable broth in a saucepan over medium heat.

Finely chop 1 small onion and 1 green bell pepper, cut 1 red bell pepper into thin strips, and remove skins from 4 cloves of garlic.

Grate 3 tomatoes to make 3/4 cup of tomato sauce.

Heat a 12-inch paella pan over medium heat and add 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil.

Add the strips of red bell pepper and garlic to the pan and sauté for 3-4 minutes, then remove and set aside.

In the same pan, add the chopped onion and green bell pepper, sauté for 3-4 minutes until onions are translucent.

Add 1/2 teaspoon of sweet smoked Spanish paprika and mix quickly to avoid bitterness.

Add the grated tomato and simmer for a few minutes until slightly thickened.

In a mortar, combine the sautéed garlic, 1/4 teaspoon of saffron threads, 2 tablespoons of chopped parsley, and a dash of sea salt, then pound into a paste.

Add 1 cup of rice to the pan and mix well with the other ingredients.

Pour in the simmering vegetable broth and mix, stirring every 3 minutes to release starch from the rice.

Pat 1 pound of cod fillets dry, season with sea salt and black pepper, and cut into small pieces.

After simmering the rice for 13 minutes, add the cod pieces and 1/2 cup of frozen peas, mixing them in.

Simmer for another 5 minutes or until the rice and fish are cooked through, then remove from heat and serve garnished with sautéed red bell pepper.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens