Maria’s Seafood Rice – Arroz com Marisco a Maria

I make this Seafood Rice dish for every family celebration since we are all seafood lovers! The recipe is very versatile so you can change up the seafood ingredients to what ever you prefer. Sometimes I also add lobster when it’s in season.

I like to cook the rice separate from the seafood because the rice comes out fluffier. Some people cook the rice in with the seafood but that may leave the seafood dry too. You can also use only regular long rice if you prefer,  but increase it to 3 and 1/2 cups.

Serves 10-12

Ingredients:

Rice:

2 cups long grain rice

1 (8 oz) package of Goya Yellow Rice mix

1 medium onion (finely chopped)

2 tablespoons of olive oil

1 teaspoon of paprika

1 chicken bouillon cube

6 cups of boiling water

1 teaspoon salt

Seafood ingredients:

2 pounds of uncooked peeled shrimp

1 pound of little neck clams  (washed)

1 pound of mussels in or out of shell

1 pound of squid (chopped into rings and pieces)

1 pound of scallops

1 small onion (finely chopped)

2 cloves garlic (finely minced)

2 tablespoons of olive oil

2 tablespoons butter

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup of vinho verde or dry white wine

1 cup chicken stock

Dash of Piri Piri or hot sauce

2 cups frozen baby peas

2 tablespoons of chopped parsley or cilantro for garnish

Lemon wedges for garnish

Preparation:

Step 1:

Make the rice first by sauteing the onion in a heavy medium pan with the olive oil for a few minutes until translucent but not browned. Add the long grain rice to the onion and stir to coat with the olive oil. Let brown for 1 minute stirring often.

Add the boiling water, salt, paprika and bouillon cube. Let come to a boil and add the Yellow rice. Stir, cover and reduce heat to medium. Let cook for about 15 – 20 minutes stirring once in a while. Add more boiling water if you find the rice is getting to dry. Taste and add more salt if desired.

Step 2:

In a medium skillet, saute the onion and garlic in the olive oil until translucent. Add the clams, squid, and mussels and cook for one minute. Add the wine, butter, paprika, piri piri, salt, stock and shrimp.

Cook for about 5 minutes on high until the seafood is cooked and clams open. Taste and add more seasoning if desired. Add the peas and cook for 1 minute. Set seafood aside until rice is fully cooked.

Step 3:

Place the rice into a wide paella pan or oven proof serving tray. Pour the seafood over the rice spreading the seafood evenly. Place in the oven at 350  degrees f for a few minutes for the flavors to incorporate. Keep in the warm oven until ready to serve but not too long or the rice will become dry.

Step 4:

Garnish with lemon wedges and cilantro or parsley. Serve and enjoy!