Flavourful Cooking

Nº 73 · Fish & Prawns · serves 4

Brothy Spanish Rice with Squid and Prawns

In Spain: Arroz caldoso

Soupy rice with tenderly braised squid, prawns and saffron: paella's looser sibling, and ideal for the slow cooker.

€13–16approx. €3.25–4.00 ppMild20 min prepLOW 3–4 hrs + 45 min on HIGH
Brothy Spanish Rice with Squid and Prawns

Ingredients serves 4

Tick off what you already have at home.

  • Budget tip: frozen pota (giant squid) instead of squid rings (approx. €1)

    PescaderíaMercadonaLidl

    Aisle: pescadería / congelados. Fresh at the fish counter or frozen; frozen rings are usually fine for stews.

  • MercadonaLidlPescadería

    Aisle: pescadería / congelados. Frozen 'gamba pelada' is usually most practical; thaw slowly in the fridge.

  • Any supermarketMercado municipal

    Aisle: frutería. Spanish peppers are large and fleshy; markets often sell them cheaper per kilo.

  • Any supermarket

    Aisle: frutería. Loose or in nets; purple garlic (ajo morado) is often the most aromatic.

  • Any supermarket

    Aisle: especias. Plain pimentón dulce is unsmoked; the smoked one says 'de la Vera'.

  • Any supermarket

    Aisle: especias. Small boxes or tubes in the spice aisle; DOP La Mancha is often the most fragrant.

  • MercadonaCarrefourPescadería

    Aisle: caldos y sopas. Fish stock in cartons is common; fishmongers may give heads and bones for homemade stock.

  • MercadonaLidlMAS

    Aisle: aceites. Andalusia is olive oil country: even own-brand oils are good value, often sold by the litre.

To serve

Method

  1. 1

    Soften the onion, pepper and garlic in olive oil for 6 minutes. Take the pan off the heat, stir in the paprika and add the passata: this is your sofrito.

  2. 2

    Put the sofrito, squid, saffron (optional) and 500 ml stock in the slow cooker. Cook for 3–4 hours on LOW; this makes the squid beautifully tender.

  3. 3

    Switch to HIGH. Bring the rest of the stock to the boil, pour it in with the rice and stir once. Cook for 40–50 minutes.

  4. 4

    Lay the prawns on top for the last 10 minutes and close the lid. They are done as soon as they turn pink and opaque.

  5. 5

    The rice should be cooked but still soupy, with some broth. Too dry? Add a splash of hot water. Serve straight away with lemon (optional).

Flavourful Cooking · slowcookerspain.com/en/recipes/brothy-spanish-rice-with-squid-and-prawns/