Paella Italiana | Michael Chiarello

I've been wanting to attempt paella for a long time now. On Friday I actually had the opportunity to sit down and watch some cooking shows that I had DVR'd over the past few weeks while I've been to busy to eat let alone cook. One show was Easy Entertaining with Michael Chiarello I really enjoy his show because he doesn't ham up to the camera, or have any weird facial ticks going on like some of the other food network celebrities. He seems genuinely down to earth, and really good at entertaining. I'm also uber jealous of his home in California and the endless manicured rows of grapevines extending throughout his property. I know he's married, but every time CB watches the show with me he says "are you sure he's not gay?" I admit, I've wondered that myself, but he's not.

This meal is so filling that on two occasions CB has been forced to stop after only two servings, and if you read this blog often, you know that CB is a three serving guy. This also makes a shit ton of food, so if you are entertaining, this would be a good option. I could also see this being a great Saturday or Sunday football snack in place of the oft thought of chili that seems to show up at football gatherings. Think of that, show up at your friends house with this and I bet the person who brought the onion dip will feel a leeetle bit jealous, unless of course it's this onion dip, and then you're all good.

Recipe:

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, about 2 pounds total
Finely ground sea salt, preferably gray salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
6 ounces spicy dried Italian sausage, cut crosswise into 1/8-inch slices (I used chorizo)
1 pound large shrimp, peeled and de-veined
3 1/2 teaspoons Spanish paprika, divided
2 tablespoons whole fresh oregano leaves
1 cup finely chopped yellow onion
1/2 cup finely chopped celery
1/2 cup finely chopped carrot
3 cups arborio rice
6 cups chicken stock
1 small can (12 ounces) peeled crushed tomatoes (or 1 pound fresh tomatoes, peeled, seeded or quartered)
1 teaspoon saffron Pepperoncini, for serving

Remove the tenderloins (small muscle on the underside) from the chicken breasts. Cut the chicken breasts in half lengthwise. Cut all the chicken into 1 1/2-inch pieces. Season with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.

Heat the oil in a large ovenproof pot over high heat. When the oil is almost smoking, add the chicken. Cook until well browned on 2 sides, turning once, 6 to 7 minutes total. Add the sausage to the pan. Cook for 10 seconds.

Season the shrimp with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Add the shrimp to the pan, stir once then cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika and the oregano. Pour the mixture onto a baking sheet to cool.

Return the pan to high heat. Add onions, carrots, and celery. Pour the juices from the baking sheet into the pan. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook until the vegetables are soft, but not brown, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Raise the heat to high. Add 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and remaining 2 teaspoons paprika. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the rice. Stir to evenly coat the grains with oil. Cook for 1 minute. Add the stock and bring it up to a simmer. Add the tomatoes and stir to incorporate. Sprinkle in the saffron. Taste and adjust the seasonings, if needed. Cook until the liquid comes back to a simmer. Cover and put the pan in the oven. Cook for 15 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven. Return the chicken, sausage, and shrimp to the pan. Cover the pan again and put it back in the oven to cook for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until everything is warm.

Serve the paella warm with a bowl of pepperoncini on the side.

Rating = So Damn Good