Brined Shrimp Paella with Smoked Za’atar

Ingredients

• 30 strands of Spanish saffron
  1.5 pounds skinless, boneless chicken thighs
  8 U-10 Wild American Shrimp Prawns
  .25 pound cured chorizo cut into 1/2 moons
  1.5 tbsp of smoked Za’atar seasoning
  1 tbsp smoked paprika
  4 bay leaves
  1 Sweet yellow onion, minced
  4 garlic cloves, minced
  8 Sicilian ciliegini tomatoes, diced
  6.5 cups chicken stock, strained
  2.5 cups bomba rice
  6oz English peas
  2 red peppers ( smoked, charred, skinned and cut into strips )
• 16 mussels Cleaned and de-bearded
  8 Italian Artichoke hearts quartered

Brine 

• 1 cup water
  .5 cup rice wine vinegar
  2 tbsp kosher salt
  2 tbsp brown cane sugar
  1 tbsp juniper berries
  .5 tsp whole coriander seeds
  3 whole charred jalapeños
  .16 tsp chili flakes
  8 U-10 Prawns

Directions 

Brine Function: 

1. Combine water, rice wine vinegar, salt, sugar and coriander seeds in pot and bring to a boil for 15 seconds.

2. Take off heat, add juniper berries, jalapeños and chili flakes and let stand for 1 hour or room temp.

3. Add U-10 Prawns and chill for 2 hours

Paella Function:

1. Steep saffron in 1/3 cup water and let sit for 20 minutes.

2. Season chicken with salt and pepper, season the brined Shrimp with the smoked Za’atar seasoning.

3. In 18” paella pan heat canola oil to medium-high heat, add chicken and chorizo together and cook for 2.5 minutes.

4. Then add prawns and cook for another 3.5 minutes or until chicken has browned and prawns are tender. Remove prawns and set aside.

5. Add paprika, garlic, onions, bay leaves and tomatoes to pan and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes, onions will have become translucent.

6. Then add saffron mixture and stock to pan and bring to a boil.

7. Add rice and evenly distribute in pan so as not to clump (do not Add the peas, peppers and artichokes and cook for 14 minutes, most of the liquid will have been absorbed.

8. Reduce heat to low, add mussels and prawns and cook till mussels shells have opened or about 8 minutes (do not stir) liquid should have been absorbed.

9. Cover with top or aluminum and let sit for 5 minutes before serving.

Serves 8 people

Recipe by Wild American Shrimp Chef Advocate, Michael DiBuono

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