Spanish Food- Devon Hallett

Valencia is "the land of rice" and dozens of different rice dishes, however "Fideuà" is a very popular traditional main course similar to "paella." Cooked in a paella pan, it is made with noodles and seafood cooked in fish broth. 

Noodle Paella Recipe 

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb. fish, such as tunny, halibut or shark
• 6 cups of fish or shrimp stock
• 1/2 lb. medium shrimp (20 to a pound)
• 1/2 lb. small clams
• 10 mussels
• 2 medium tomatoes
• 4 cloves garlic
• 2 dry red pepper pods
• 1/2 lb. squid
• 1/2 large red pepper
• 1 lb. vermicelli or angel hair pasta
• 1/4 teaspoon saffron threads
• 4 to 6 oz. virgin olive oil
• salt to taste

Rinse shrimp, mussels and clams under cold running water and set aside.

Pour fish or shrimp stock into a medium saucepan and warm for use later.

Rinse fish under cold water and cut into 2-inch cubes. Clean the squid and trim the tentacles. Slice squid into rings.

De-seed and slice red pepper into thin strips. Cut each tomato into 8 pieces. Peel garlic cloves and place in a mortar and mash with the pestle.

Place the paella pan on the BBQ grate or paella burner and add enough olive oil to coat the bottom and allow the pan to heat up. When hot enough, sauté the shrimp and squid in the olive oil.

Add olive oil as needed to prevent sticking. When the shrimp is pink, it is cooked. Remove shrimp and squid from the pan and set aside. Leave the oil in the pan.

Put the diced tomatoes, red pepper and mashed garlic in the olive oil with the two red pepper pods and sauté for two minutes.

Crush saffron threads with finders. Add the fish stock and saffron threads to the pan and stir. Bring broth to a boil.

When liquid starts to boil, add the vermicelli and fish and stir. Spread the clams, mussels and squid around the pan and arrange the shrimp on top. Cook for 15 minutes, or until the pasta is “al dente.”

Remove the fideua from the barbecue or burner. Cover with aluminum foil and let it "rest" for 5 minutes. Uncover and serve with lemons.