Weeknight Chorizo and Clam Paella

Photo by Romulo YanesBy Bon Appétit

What's that from the hall? The sound of castanets, the Mediterranean lapping against the beach, and the smoky smell of chorizo? No, it couldn't be. Not on a Thursday evening?!

Believe your senses, sailor; Spain has come to your weeknight kitchen.




Weeknight Chorizo and Clam Paella
Recipe by Bon Appetit Test Kitchen
4 servings
Active: 25 minutes
Total: 50 minutes

Read More: Bon Appétit's Mediterranean Favorites

Ingredients
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
Pinch of saffron threads (optional)
8 scrubbed littleneck clams
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 ounces cured Spanish chorizo, sliced into 1/8-inch-thick rounds
1/2 cup minced onion
3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 1/2 cups arborio rice
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup dry white wine
1 large roasted red pepper from a jar, drained, cut into 1/4-inch-wide strips
1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed

Ingredient Info
Cured Spanish chorizo is available at Spanish markets, specialty foods stores, and latienda.com. Smoked paprika is available at most supermarkets.

Preparation
Bring broth, saffron, if using, and 1 1/4 cups water to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add clams, cover, and simmer until clams open, 3-5 minutes; transfer clams to a small bowl (discard any that do not open). Set broth and clams aside.

Heat oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium heat; add chorizo and cook until chorizo just starts to render and oil turns red, 1-2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a small bowl. Place onion in skillet. Stir often until onion begins to soften, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and paprika; stir constantly until paprika is caramelized, about 3 minutes

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Stir in rice; season lightly with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring constantly, until rice is lightly toasted, about 2 minutes. Add wine; stir constantly until liquid is absorbed, about 1 minute. Stir in broth and red pepper. Simmer (do not stir), rotating skillet often for even cooking, until liquid is almost absorbed and rice is tender, 20-23 minutes. Add peas, chorizo, and clams with juices, tucking clams into rice. Increase heat to medium-high. Cook until clams are heated through and rice along bottom of pan is slightly crisp, about 2 minutes.



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