Rice with seafood

Delicious Recipe: Aromatic Seafood Rice

Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 2

Welcome to the fascinating world of cooking with seafood! This simple yet flavorful recipe perfectly combines rice with a selection of seafood, offering a light and satisfying meal. Seafood rice is an ideal choice for a quick dinner or to impress guests on a special occasion. Whether you are a cooking enthusiast or a beginner, this recipe will guide you step by step to achieve a perfect result.

Necessary Ingredients:

- 150 grams of long-grain rice (I recommend basmati or jasmine rice, which don’t stick)
- 1 small onion (shallot type, for a milder taste)
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 tablespoon of red pepper paste
- 2 thin celery sticks
- 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil
- 50 ml of white wine (preferably dry, to add a note of acidity)
- 250 grams of seafood (peeled clams, shrimp, and squid rings)
- Salt and freshly ground pepper (to taste)
- A pinch of chili paste (optional, for a spicy taste)
- A little ginger powder (about 1/4 teaspoon)
- A pinch of turmeric (for color and flavor)
- Fresh coriander, for garnish

Preparation Steps:

1. Preparing the Ingredients:
Start by preparing all the ingredients. Finely chop the onion and garlic, and dice the celery into small cubes. Make sure the seafood is thawed and ready to use.

2. Sautéing the Aromatics:
In a deep skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic and sauté for 2-3 minutes until they become translucent. Here, the aroma of the onion and garlic will start to fill the air with an enticing fragrance.

3. Adding the Rice:
Add the rice to the skillet, stirring well to coat it with the aromatic oil. Let it sauté for 2 minutes until it becomes slightly translucent. This is an important step for adding a pleasant texture.

4. Deglazing with Wine:
Pour the white wine over the rice and stir. This will help release the flavors from the skillet and add a note of acidity. Let the wine evaporate completely, which should take about 2 minutes.

5. Adding the Pepper Paste:
Add the red pepper paste and stir well to combine the flavors. This ingredient will add vibrant color and intense flavor.

6. Cooking the Rice:
Add 100 ml of water, salt, freshly ground pepper, ginger, and turmeric. Mix everything well and reduce the heat to the minimum. Cover the skillet with a lid and let the rice simmer for 10 minutes (depending on the type of rice used).

7. Adding the Seafood:
With 5 minutes left of cooking time, add the squid rings to the skillet. Let them cook together with the rice. If necessary, add a little water to keep the mixture moist.

8. Finishing the Dish:
One minute before turning off the heat, add the shrimp and in the last 30 seconds, add the clams. These will cook quickly, and their short cooking time will retain their juiciness and flavor.

9. Serving:
Turn off the heat and let the dish sit covered for 2 minutes. Before serving, sprinkle fresh chopped coriander on top. This will not only add freshness but also beautify the plate.

Serving Suggestions:
This recipe is perfect served alongside a light salad with lemon and olive oil or with a bottle of chilled white wine. If you want to add even more flavors, a yogurt sauce with mint would be wonderful.

Useful Tips and Tricks:
- Ensure that the seafood is fresh or well-frozen. Cooking seafood at high temperatures for short periods will retain its juiciness and flavor.
- You can experiment with different types of seafood, such as mussels, shrimp, or fish, depending on your preferences.
- The rice can also be cooked with fish or vegetable broth for extra flavor.
- If you want a spicy note, add more chili paste or freshly chopped peppers.

Nutritional Information:
This recipe is an excellent source of protein due to the seafood, while the rice provides healthy carbohydrates. Additionally, ginger and turmeric have anti-inflammatory properties, making this dish not only tasty but also healthy. The calories are estimated at around 450-500 kcal per serving, depending on the amount of oil used and the type of seafood.

Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I use brown rice? Yes, but it will require a longer cooking time.
- Is it possible to prepare this dish in advance? I recommend cooking the rice fresh, but you can prepare the seafood a day ahead.
- What drinks pair best? A dry white wine or a lager beer can perfectly complement the flavors of this dish.

Enjoy every bite of this aromatic seafood rice! This recipe will not only delight your taste buds but will also add an elegant touch to your table. Bon appétit!