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Mediterranean Diet Recipes: Kalamata and Chickpea Paella

Kalamata Olive and Chickpea Paella (Vegan Mediterranean - Paella de Verduras)

Bill Bradley
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 299 kcal

Equipment

  • Make in a large cast iron, stainless steel or ceramic skillet. Serve with marinated artichokes.

Ingredients
  

  • 4-6 strands saffron threads
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 
  • 1 large onion, cut in half and sliced thin
  • 1 container (8 oz.) fresh portobello mushrooms, sliced
  • 2 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 Juice of lemon (zest lemon first)
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 Zest from 1 lemon
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
  • 1 bunch parsley, de-stemmed and chopped
  • 1 cup frozen green peas
  • 1 cup pitted kalamata olives
  • 1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
  • 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1 cup uncooked short grain rice or paella rice

Instructions
 

  • Toast saffron threads by placing in aluminum foil. Place aluminum foil on hot skillet for about 1 minute. Remove and open aluminum foil.
  • Saute mushrooms and onion in olive oil in skillet for about 5 minutes.
  • Add vegetable broth, lemon juice and water. Bring to a boil.
  • Add rest of ingredients (including toasted saffron threads). Stir well. Bring to a boil and then simmer on a low boil. Now, do not stir! Cook until rice is desired tenderness and liquid has evaporated (again, no stirring!). This usually takes around 30-35 minutes. You want the bottom of the pan to get crusty, slightly burnt. This brings out the flavor of all of the ingredients. Remove from heat and cover for about 10 minutes.
  • Make sure you scrape some of the bottom crust for each serving!

Nutrition

Calories: 299kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 6gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gSodium: 870mgPotassium: 412mgFiber: 6gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 2122IUVitamin C: 68mgCalcium: 76mgIron: 4mg
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