MetaChat - vegetarian paella - how do I make it? Is it possible?

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22 January 2010

vegetarian paella - how do I make it? Is it possible? →[More:]I am a fish (but not shellfish) eating "vegetarian", I don't have a special paella pan, I do have a reasonable set of regular pans, and although I've never made paella, I do have basic cooking chops. All advice, debate, links, etc welcome and appreciated!

post by: serazin at: 13:37 | 15 comments

I think you could definitely do it. Just substitute a few types of fish for the usual fish and shellfish. Everything else, broth, rice, peppers, peas, onions, garlic, saffron, etc should work for you.

For example: a recipe like this would work. Take out the mussels and shrimp and add one or two types of fish that you like.

I bet it would be quite tasty.

posted by annaramma 22 January | 13:58

This is a simple veggie paella that tastes great. Tastes way better with fresh summer tomatoes but don't let that stop you from making it.

As for not having a paella pan, I don't think it's such a big deal. I make delicious paella in a shallowish cast aluminum pan (about 14"). They cost about 20 bucks at a restaurant supply store and are almost indestructible (you can season them to nonstickiness just like cast iron and you can stick them into the oven using the awesome nonmelty handle).

posted by special-k 22 January | 13:59

I forget -- does paella have sausage? There are plenty of tasty vegetarian sausages out there; try some Tofurkey stuff to start with.

posted by Madamina 22 January | 14:51

Chorizo is really essential to Paella and I have to say I haven't made it since I became pretty much the same type of "vegetarian" as yourself (though I do eat shellfish). I have seen some vegetarian "chorizo" though so you could try that. Alternatively just work out what the spices that are in chorizo and just use those. I wonder if some sort of smoked fish would work? I can't imagine it being bad :) The times I made paella I just used a stovetop wok, though honestly I'd love a real paella pan.

posted by kodama 22 January | 14:55

OMG, Soyrizo is crazy-good, and I even like sausage. You have to cook it a while get get it dry and crumbly, but it's excellent.

posted by mudpuppie 22 January | 15:18

Thank you friends! I am emboldened by your encouragements and will try a few variations based on these suggestions. And good idea on the wok!

posted by serazin 22 January | 15:44

I'm sure kodama's advice is great and I'm not quibbling. But! I personally wouldn't use a wok. I'd use the widest, shallowest pan I had. Woks are too deep, and the actual amount of surface area that is on top of the burner is much smaller than in a skillet. You want a wide surface so that the rice on the bottom gets crispy-ish.

posted by mudpuppie 22 January | 16:02

I totally agree with you mudpuppie, but the wok will work in a pinch. Definitely worked better if you don't fill it too far up. I originally chose to use the wok as I needed to cover the pan and that wasn't really an option with my skillet.

(Now I want to make paella too. That vegetarian one with the tomatoes linked above sounds great)

posted by kodama 22 January | 16:09

Looking into it a bit it looks like one can pick up a paella pan really cheap! Check out this site for all the different options.

posted by kodama 22 January | 16:12

Wow! I didn't realize they were so cheap. I live pretty close to The Spanish Table, so maybe I'll pick one up this weekend.

posted by serazin 22 January | 16:31

I actually got a paella pan from the Spanish Table for christmas, but I haven't used it yet. I'd loan it to you if you were closer!

posted by mudpuppie 22 January | 16:32

Aww, thanks for the thought mudpuppie.

posted by serazin 22 January | 16:38

I'm late checking back, but I heartily second the recommendation for Soyrizo. My carnivore boyfriend happily eats it when I substitute it for the real thing.

Paella's going on the menu this week.

posted by annaramma 22 January | 19:51

If you want good flavour without using chorizo (or substitutes which - frankly - sound a bit scary) then pick up a small container of smoked paprika. It's not that expensive and the taste is oooooOOOOOOOOOOohhhh good!

posted by ninazer0 22 January | 21:17

Mmmm, smokey...

posted by serazin 23 January | 01:50

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