Paella...and lotsa wine...

BigAsh · 09-01-2014, 06:40 AM

Annual Labor Day WineFest at my place...each year I choose a wine region and guests bring a bottle or 2 from there...I cook a main dish and some apps and cheese to go with the theme...this year was SPAIN, what better excuse to get a giant 26 in Paella pan!

Set up pan on the fryer burner (which I wouldn't do again...heat was too centric in the middle and created some challenges with constantly moving pan...next time over open fire pit...live and learn!)

First browned about 1lb cured Spanish chorizo in some olive oil...

Then 6 lbs cut up chicken thighs which were seasoned with s/p and smoked paprika...in the residual fat renderings from the chorizo...building flavor base...

Then 3 chopped spanish onion, some garlic and crushed tomatoes....cooked in the renderings til nice and thick...the "sofrito"...

When the sofrito was ready, added the star...5 lbs of bomba rice...

Cooked rice with sofrito for a couple minutes to coat, then added meat back in, some squid and 5 qts. of saffron infused chicken stock, some smoked paprika and salt...

BigAsh · 09-01-2014, 06:41 AM

Rice absorbing all the goodness...

After 15-20 minutes, added 4 lbs of shrimp that had been "marinated" with olive oil, garlic and saffron...and 2bs of mussels...arranged all neatly around the perimeter for presentation, but this is where the heat challenges came in...couldnt get the shrimp and mussels to cook without burning the middle so it all got "stirred" up a bit...then some peas and chopped parsley and a squeeze or 3 of lemon juice

The money shot...the Socarrat...toasty rice goodness on the bottom of the pan...

Oh, and the wine...31 bottles of fine Spanish wine later...it was a great nite...

EricF · 09-01-2014, 06:45 AM

Where was my invite ya bastage!

BigAsh · 09-01-2014, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricF

Where was my invite ya bastage!

Planning on hand delivering invite next week...

Chainsaw13 · 09-01-2014, 06:53 AM

Looks damn good Keith. Not sure on the price, but they make a burner specifically for those large pans. Saw one in use a few weeks back at a BBQ event.

BigAsh · 09-01-2014, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chainsaw13

Looks damn good Keith. Not sure on the price, but they make a burner specifically for those large pans. Saw one in use a few weeks back at a BBQ event.

yea...had a hard enough time convincing my bride I "needed" the pan!!

i

Porch Dweller · 09-01-2014, 06:59 AM

Wow, that looks great!

kelmac07 · 09-01-2014, 09:50 AM

Bringing some leftovers this week?

BigAsh · 09-01-2014, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kelmac07

Bringing some leftovers this week?

Leftovers?!?...not for my boy Mac!...personal pan for you son!

kelmac07 · 09-01-2014, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigAsh

Leftovers?!?...not for my boy Mac!...personal pan for you son!

Can't wait to see ya Friday brother.

Subvet642 · 09-01-2014, 10:17 AM

Damn, that looks good!

pnoon · 09-01-2014, 11:41 AM

Paella and Spanish red wine.

A pre-dinner martini would be perfection.

BigAsh · 09-01-2014, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pnoon

Paella and Spanish red wine.

A pre-dinner martini would be perfection.

Don't be too sure I didn't... Great kinds my fiend...great minds

icehog3 · 09-01-2014, 04:28 PM

That looks absoutely delish, Keith!

Smokin Gator · 09-02-2014, 05:05 AM

Dang that looks good Keith!! I'd bet it was a good time with that kind of food and wine!!

Subvet642 · 09-02-2014, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pnoon

Paella and Spanish red wine.

A pre-dinner martini would be perfection.

A Manhattan!

Subvet642 · 09-02-2014, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigAsh

Don't be too sure I didn't... Great kinds my fiend...great minds

I wouldn't call him names if I were you.

jonumberone · 09-02-2014, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigAsh

Leftovers?!?...not for my boy Mac!...personal pan for you son!

What am I, wood?

Looks great, Keith.

mosesbotbol · 09-02-2014, 06:43 AM

Wow, 5 lbs of rice is a huge paella!

Surprised you put the squid in so soon. I too make a lot of paella.

I use base of my WSM with charcoal to heat it; works like a charm.

BigAsh · 09-02-2014, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mosesbotbol

Wow, 5 lbs of rice is a huge paella!

Surprised you put the squid in so soon. I too make a lot of paella.

I use base of my WSM with charcoal to heat it; works like a charm.

was gonna use my drum smoker for heat but pan completely covered top....was concerned about extinguishing fire due to lack of air...thats why next time i'll rig an open pit...or get a weber ranch kettle!

09-01-2014, 06:40 AM	#1
BigAsh Don't knock the Ash... Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Keith Location: Yardley, PA Posts: 5,046 Trading: (46)	Paella...and lotsa wine... Annual Labor Day WineFest at my place...each year I choose a wine region and guests bring a bottle or 2 from there...I cook a main dish and some apps and cheese to go with the theme...this year was SPAIN, what better excuse to get a giant 26 in Paella pan! Set up pan on the fryer burner (which I wouldn't do again...heat was too centric in the middle and created some challenges with constantly moving pan...next time over open fire pit...live and learn!) First browned about 1lb cured Spanish chorizo in some olive oil... Then 6 lbs cut up chicken thighs which were seasoned with s/p and smoked paprika...in the residual fat renderings from the chorizo...building flavor base... Then 3 chopped spanish onion, some garlic and crushed tomatoes....cooked in the renderings til nice and thick...the "sofrito"... When the sofrito was ready, added the star...5 lbs of bomba rice... Cooked rice with sofrito for a couple minutes to coat, then added meat back in, some squid and 5 qts. of saffron infused chicken stock, some smoked paprika and salt... __________________ Keith

09-01-2014, 06:41 AM	#2
BigAsh Don't knock the Ash... Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Keith Location: Yardley, PA Posts: 5,046 Trading: (46)	Re: Paella...and lotsa wine... Rice absorbing all the goodness... After 15-20 minutes, added 4 lbs of shrimp that had been "marinated" with olive oil, garlic and saffron...and 2bs of mussels...arranged all neatly around the perimeter for presentation, but this is where the heat challenges came in...couldnt get the shrimp and mussels to cook without burning the middle so it all got "stirred" up a bit...then some peas and chopped parsley and a squeeze or 3 of lemon juice The money shot...the Socarrat...toasty rice goodness on the bottom of the pan... Oh, and the wine...31 bottles of fine Spanish wine later...it was a great nite... __________________ Keith

09-01-2014, 06:45 AM	#3
EricF Ain't Never Gonna Leave Join Date: Oct 2010 First Name: Eric Location: Miramar, FL Posts: 7,004 Trading: (116)	Re: Paella...and lotsa wine... Where was my invite ya bastage! __________________ It might taste crummy, but at least it's huge.

09-01-2014, 06:53 AM	#5
Chainsaw13 Møøse bites can be nasty Join Date: Jan 2010 First Name: Bob Location: The Enchanted Mitten Posts: 7,176 Trading: (96)	Re: Paella...and lotsa wine... Looks damn good Keith. Not sure on the price, but they make a burner specifically for those large pans. Saw one in use a few weeks back at a BBQ event. __________________ My neighbor came by my house this morning at 2AM, pounding on the door. Good thing I was still up playing the drums.

09-01-2014, 06:59 AM	#7
Porch Dweller Life is for living Join Date: Oct 2012 First Name: James Location: Mississippi Gulf Coast Posts: 8,382 Trading: (24)	Re: Paella...and lotsa wine... Wow, that looks great! __________________ A 1911 in the hand is faster than 911 on the phone

09-01-2014, 09:50 AM	#8
kelmac07 Resident Maduro Whore!! Join Date: Apr 2009 First Name: Mac Location: Newport News, VA Posts: 27,322 Trading: (218)	Re: Paella...and lotsa wine... Bringing some leftovers this week? __________________ Dom in the MLB thread "I could probably get you to wear a Yankee hat for a Maduro!"

09-01-2014, 10:17 AM	#11
Subvet642 Bilge Rat Join Date: Nov 2009 First Name: Darren Location: Torpedo Room Bilge Posts: 2,997 Trading: (13)	Re: Paella...and lotsa wine... Damn, that looks good! __________________ *"Man's mind is his basic tool of survival. Life is given to him, survival is not." -John Galt*

09-01-2014, 11:41 AM	#12
pnoon YNWA Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Peter Location: San Diego Posts: 29,919 Trading: (20)	Re: Paella...and lotsa wine... Paella and Spanish red wine. A pre-dinner martini would be perfection. __________________ Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are. -John Wooden

09-01-2014, 04:28 PM	#14
icehog3 Admiral Douchebag Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Tom Location: Clermont, Kentucky Posts: 71,257 Trading: (60)	Re: Paella...and lotsa wine... That looks absoutely delish, Keith! __________________ Thanks Dave, Julian, James, Kelly, Peter, Gerry, Dave, Mo, Frank, Týr and Mr. Mark!

09-02-2014, 05:05 AM	#15
Smokin Gator Just plain insane! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: The Swamp Posts: 6,237 Trading: (106)	Re: Paella...and lotsa wine... Dang that looks good Keith!! I'd bet it was a good time with that kind of food and wine!! __________________ Check out the Cigar Asylum Newbie Sampler Trade

09-02-2014, 06:43 AM	#19
mosesbotbol That's a Corgi Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Moses Location: Boston Posts: 6,171 Trading: (6)	Re: Paella...and lotsa wine... Wow, 5 lbs of rice is a huge paella! Surprised you put the squid in so soon. I too make a lot of paella. I use base of my WSM with charcoal to heat it; works like a charm. __________________ Port Wine & Claret \| British Cars \| Welsh Corgi's