Savory Vegetable Paella with Chickpeas
Indulge in the vibrant flavors of this Savory Vegetable Paella with Chickpeas, a delightful one-dish meal that's perfect for any occasion. This vegetarian take on the classic Spanish dish showcases a medley of colorful vegetables, enriched by the distinct aroma of saffron and the hearty texture of chickpeas. Made with arborio rice, this dish is not only wholesome but also brimming with nutrients. Whether you are hosting a family dinner or enjoying a cozy night in, this paella is sure to impress. Feel free to customize it with your favorite seasonal vegetables or additional spices for a personal touch!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
Saffron
1 pinch (Infused in water)
Eggplant
1 medium (Cut into large chunks)
Authentico Olive Oil
3 tablespoons (For sautéing)
Onion
1 (Chopped)
Garlic
2 cloves (Crushed)
Yellow Pepper
1 (Finely chopped)
Red Bell Pepper
1 (Finely chopped)
Paprika
2 teaspoons (Spice)
Arborio Rice
225 g (Short-grain rice)
Vegetable Broth
2 1/2 cups (Liquid for cooking)
Diced Tomatoes
1 (19 ounce) can (Canned, with juices)
Salt and Pepper
to taste (Seasoning)
Mushroom
1 cup (Sliced)
Green Beans
1 cup (Cut into segments)
Chickpeas
1 (19 ounce) can (Rinsed and drained)
Instructions
1
In a small bowl, pour 3 tablespoons of water over the saffron and set it aside to infuse.
2
Sprinkle salt over the eggplant chunks and allow them to sit in a colander for 30 minutes to draw out excess moisture. Rinse the eggplant under cold water and drain well.
3
In a large frying pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, crushed garlic, yellow and red bell peppers, and the seasoned eggplant. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are slightly softened.
4
Stir in the paprika, ensuring it coats the vegetables well, and cook for an additional minute to release its flavor.
5
Add the arborio rice to the pan, stirring it in so that it absorbs the flavors. Gradually pour in the vegetable broth, diced tomatoes (with their juices), and the saffron mixture. Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste.
6
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
7
Fold in the sliced mushrooms, green beans, and chickpeas, mixing them gently into the rice. Continue to simmer for another 15 minutes until all vegetables are tender and rice is cooked through.
8
Remove from heat, adjust seasoning if necessary, and serve immediately, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Vegetable Paella with Chickpeas?
It is a vibrant, one-dish vegetarian meal inspired by classic Spanish cuisine, featuring arborio rice, saffron, and a variety of colorful vegetables and chickpeas.
Is this paella recipe vegetarian?
Yes, this recipe is entirely vegetarian and can be made vegan as well.
Can this recipe be considered gluten-free?
Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free as it uses rice and vegetables, though you should always check your specific broth and spice labels.
What type of rice should I use for this paella?
The recipe calls for 225 g of arborio rice, which is a short-grain rice that provides a hearty texture.
How do I prepare the saffron for this dish?
Pour 3 tablespoons of water over a pinch of saffron in a small bowl and set it aside to infuse before adding it to the rice.
Why do I need to salt the eggplant before cooking?
Sprinkling salt over the eggplant chunks helps draw out excess moisture and prevents the eggplant from becoming too bitter.
How long should the eggplant sit with salt?
The eggplant chunks should sit in a colander with salt for 30 minutes before being rinsed and drained.
What kind of oil is recommended for sautéing?
The recipe recommends using 3 tablespoons of Authentico Olive Oil.
Which vegetables are included in the initial sauté?
The initial sauté includes chopped onion, crushed garlic, yellow and red bell peppers, and the prepared eggplant chunks.
How long should I sauté the base vegetables?
You should sauté the vegetables for about 5 minutes until they are slightly softened.
What spice is added to the vegetables after sautéing?
Two teaspoons of paprika are stirred in to coat the vegetables and release its flavor.
When do I add the vegetable broth?
Gradually pour in the 2 1/2 cups of vegetable broth after the rice has been stirred into the pan.
Should I use fresh or canned tomatoes?
The recipe specifically calls for one 19-ounce can of diced tomatoes, including their juices.
How long does the rice simmer initially?
The rice mixture should simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, with occasional stirring.
When are the mushrooms, green beans, and chickpeas added?
These ingredients are folded into the rice after the initial 15-minute simmer.
How long is the final simmering time?
After adding the final vegetables, continue to simmer for another 15 minutes until everything is tender.
Do I need to rinse the chickpeas?
Yes, the 19-ounce can of chickpeas should be rinsed and drained before being added to the pan.
Can I customize the vegetables in this paella?
Yes, the recipe encourages you to customize it with your favorite seasonal vegetables or additional spices.
How should I garnish the finished dish?
You can garnish the paella with fresh herbs if desired before serving immediately.
What is the preparation for the green beans?
One cup of green beans should be cut into segments before being added to the dish.
How many garlic cloves are used?
The recipe calls for 2 cloves of crushed garlic.
What color bell peppers are used?
The recipe uses one yellow pepper and one red bell pepper, both finely chopped.
Is the rice cooked covered or uncovered?
The rice should be simmered uncovered to allow the flavors to concentrate and the liquid to absorb correctly.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 15 ingredients used in this Savory Vegetable Paella.
What prevents the rice from sticking to the pan?
Stirring the mixture occasionally during the simmering stages helps prevent the rice from sticking.
Is this a good meal for a family dinner?
Yes, it is a wholesome and impressive dish that is perfect for hosting a family dinner or a cozy night in.
What size can of chickpeas is needed?
The recipe specifies using one 19-ounce can of chickpeas.
How should the eggplant be cut?
The eggplant should be cut into large chunks before the salting process.
What role does the saffron play in the dish?
Saffron provides the distinct aroma and vibrant flavor characteristic of classic Spanish paella.
How much mushroom is used?
One cup of sliced mushrooms is folded into the paella during the second simmer.