Vegetarian Paella

This vegetarian paella is so moist, full of flavor, and substantial, that you will scarcely notice it is meat-free. The green, red, and yellow bell peppers add a vibrant splash of color to the pale rice, while the tangy artichoke hearts, delicate peas, and juicy tomatoes ensure that this vegetarian paella will satisfy even the most avid carnivores.

If you like this recipe, you will find some more paella recipes on one excellent book by Penelope Casas: Paella!: Spectacular Rice Dishes from Spain.

• Serves: 6
• Difficulty: Intermediate
• Preparation time: 60 minutes

Ingredients - Vegetarian Paella

• 1/4 cup (2 fl. oz) of olive oil
• 5 cloves minced garlic
• 1 large yellow onion, chopped
• 4 cups (32 fl. oz) vegetable broth
• 2 cups (16 oz) rice

• 4 medium tomatoes, skinned, seeded and chopped
• 1 small red bell pepper, seeded and cut into thin strips
• 1 small green bell pepper, seeded and cut into thin strips
• 1 small yellow bell pepper, seeded and cut into thin strips
• 1 cup (4 oz) green peas
• 2 cups (14 oz) artichoke hearts, tough outer leaves removed and quartered
• 1 lemon
• Lemon wedges, to garnish

Preparation - Vegetarian Paella

Heat the olive oil in a paella pan and saute the onion and garlic until the onion is tender and translucent. At the same time, heat the broth in a separate saucepan until simmering.

Pour the rice into the paella pan and saute for about 3 minutes. Add the bell peppers and tomatoes and cook for a further 3 minutes. Add the simmering vegetable broth and cook over medium heat for 20 minutes or until almost tender and almost all the liquid has been absorbed. Stir in the peas.

Sprinkle the artichoke hearts with a few drops of lemon juice and arrange over the rice in an attractive pattern. Continue cooking until the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is tender.

Serve the paella straight from the pan, garnished with lemon wedges.

Useful Vegetarian Paella Links