Seafood Paella from August 2001??

[Leonard]

I would like to make the Seafood Paella from the August issue for friends on Friday night. I searched the BB and didn't find any reviews. If anyone made it , I would love to hear your opinion. I hate the thought of buying all that seafood and possibly being disappointed. Thanks!

[Grace]

I would like to know too, Leonard! I got a BEAUTIFUL, CALPHALON paella pan for my birthday last week, with the stipulation that I must invite my MIL over for paella (she's the one that gave it to me!). It's my first piece of calphalon ever, and boy is that pan huge. Barely fits on the burners (almost covers two burners at the same time, and I have a HUGE stove top!) Anyhow, I'm very excited to try some paella, and CL has done a whole bunch of recipes, and I'm wondering which one is the best. The one in the August issue looks great, but I also saw good reviews of some of the older recipes. If anyone has any opinions at all, I'd be interested in hearing them. Thanks in advance everyone!

[JanetB]

I have made CL paella recipes many times -although not from this issue- each time I changed a few little things - we like our food a little spicey. The older recipes were worth all of the seafood! So, I would put my money on this one.

But, just a hint I got from a friend re: mussels - - She suggested steaming them before adding to the mixture - - - that way you know which ones are good before you have to dig for them. (If they open - they are good!). This has worked well for me. Enjoy.

[Grace]

Oh Janet, thanks for the good suggestions! Can you please tell me which of the old CL paella recipes you recommend specifically? I don't need them posted, I have all the recipes, I just need to know which one you recommend most. Also, what did you add (and approx. how much?) to spice yours up? I know the people I will be serving this to love spicy food, so I want to spice it up too, esp. if it runs toward the bland side (as many CL recipes do!)

And thanks for the heads up on the mussels too - it will be my first time making them.....

[Julia1Pin]

Grace -

I don't know what issue this is from, but I'd love it if you could let me know.

I love this Paella, and have made it to rave reveiws:

Paella
8 oz. Fresh shrimp
1 lb. Chicken breast pieces, boneless, skinless
Nonstick spray coating
1 cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1 14 ½ oz. can reduced sodium chicken broth
1 medium chopped red pepper
1 c. long grain rice
1 7 ½ oz. can tomatoes, undrained and cut up
1 tsp. fresh thyme
¼ tsp. ground saffron
¼ tsp. ground red pepper
1 c. frozen peas
Peel and devein shrimp. Rinse shrimp and chicken; pat dry with paper towels. Cover and refrigerate until needed.
Spray an unheated Dutch oven with nonstick coating. Preheat over medium heat. Add onion and garlic. Cook until onion is tender.
Add chicken pieces, chicken broth, undrained tomatoes, thyme, saffron, and ground red pepper. Bring to boiling. Reduce heat. Simmer, covered for 15 minutes.
Stir in uncooked rice. Simmer covered, about 15 minutes more or until rice is tender.
Stir sweet pepper, shrimp, and peas into the rice mixture. Simmer, covered, about 5 minutes more.
6 servings
274 calories, 5 g. total fat, 24 g. protein

[Luv to Cook]

We made this tonite and it was sooo good! Only change was the addition of 2 chopped jalepenos. This was a great recipe and I highly recommend it. Definitely does not need 3 TBS of olive oil. i would recommend drizzling some on top after cooking, instead of the way the recipe states.

Anita

[Grace]

Anita, which one did you make? The one from the August issue, or the one that Julia posted above? If it's the one from the August issue, I have to say I was disappointed in it. It wasn't bad, just kind of boring. No zip, no zing, if you know what I mean.

And Julia, I never answered your question - I don't know which issue that came from - I checked my software, and it didn't come up. That means when I got the cookpac for whichever issue it was in, I didn't load that recipe into my software (don't know why???????). Anyhow, I know I have it, but I'd have to go through each and every cookpac (or hard copy of the magazine) to find it. I can if you really need to know....?:D But I did print your recipe out and put it in my to try folder. Thanks for the suggestion. I will keep trying recipes until I hit on the one that floats my boat! I think I will try the cilantro/lime one next.....

[Luv to Cook]

Grace,

I made the one from the August issue. I thought it looked bland as well and so I added 2 chopped jalepenos. To me this gave it the extra "zing" that it needed! I also used shrimp, scallops and tilapia instead of the recommended seafood. And, I drizzled some very good olive oil on top.

Perhaps that helps?

Anita

[Julia1Pin]

I am picturing you fervently going through your cook pacs trying to find the issue it came from :D

I don't need to know that badly. I can still make and enjoy this recipe, which I do!!!

But thanks for taking the time out to check for me.:D