Sunny Spanish Delight: Jamie Oliver’s Veggie Paella Recipe

Vegetarian paella bursts with Mediterranean magic, turning humble ingredients into a flavor-packed feast that sizzles with passion.

Imagine a culinary canvas where rice becomes an art form, painted with vibrant vegetables and aromatic spices.

Saffron-kissed grains dance alongside colorful bell peppers, creating a dish that celebrates plant-based brilliance.

Traditional Spanish cooking techniques merge seamlessly in this one-pan wonder that promises to tantalize every sense.

Simple ingredients transform into an extraordinary meal that doesn’t compromise on taste or nutrition.

Each forkful tells a story of culinary creativity, blending textures and flavors with delightful precision.

A vegetarian masterpiece will revolutionize your dinner routine.

Ways to Change Up the Ingredients

• Customize Rice Selection: Swap brown rice with quinoa, wild rice, or basmati for different textures and flavor profiles. Each grain brings its unique character to the dish.
• Pepper Power Play: Experiment with different pepper varieties like poblano, anaheim, or cubanelle to add subtle heat variations. Roasting peppers beforehand intensifies their smoky undertones.
• Protein Transformation: Elevate the recipe by adding grilled shrimp, diced chicken, or crumbled feta cheese for a protein-packed twist. Vegetarians can incorporate tofu or tempeh for extra substance.
• Seasonal Flexibility: Adapt the recipe using seasonal vegetables like asparagus in spring, zucchini in summer, or butternut squash in autumn. Fresh, local produce always enhances the overall taste and nutritional value.

Presenting and Pairing Paella Nicely

• Pair with Fresh Salad: Create a light, crisp green salad with mixed lettuce, cucumber, and a tangy vinaigrette to complement the rice's rich flavors.
• Garnish with Herbs: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or cilantro on top to add a burst of color and bright, herbal notes that enhance the dish's complexity.
• Wine Pairing Suggestion: Select a crisp white wine like Albariño or Sauvignon Blanc to balance the dish's smoky and zesty undertones, providing a refreshing contrast.
• Serve with Protein: Add grilled chicken, seared fish, or roasted tofu on the side to transform this rice dish into a complete and satisfying meal with added protein.

Save Paella and Reheat Safely

• Maximize Meal Prep: Smartly prepare ingredients ahead of time to save precious cooking minutes during busy weekdays.
• Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftovers in airtight containers for up to 3 days, keeping the rice and vegetables fresh and flavorful.
• Freezing Strategy: This dish can be frozen for 1-2 months. Separate liquid components from solid ingredients to maintain optimal texture when reheating.
• Revive Leftovers: Gently reheat in a skillet with a splash of vegetable stock to restore moisture and bring back the original vibrant taste. Add fresh herbs before serving to refresh the flavors and prevent staleness.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 4

What Goes Into Vegetarian Paella

• Garlic: Choose fresh, firm cloves with no sprouts for the most robust flavor.
• Onion: Select a crisp, heavy onion with no soft spots for maximum sweetness.
• Green Pepper: Look for glossy, firm peppers with vibrant color and no blemishes.
• Parsley Stalks: Opt for fresh, bright green stalks with no wilting or yellowing.

• Padron Peppers, Halved: Pick peppers with smooth, shiny skin and consistent green color.

• Spring Onions: Select bunches with bright green tops and crisp white bottoms.
• Green Beans: Choose slender, bright green beans without brown spots or blemishes.
• Tomato: Pick ripe, heavy tomatoes with deep color and slight give when pressed.

• Mixed Olives: Select a variety of olives for complex, briny taste profile.
• Lemon: Choose firm, heavy lemons with bright, unblemished skin.
• Saffron: Invest in high-quality threads with deep red color and intense aroma.

• Brown Rice: Select whole grain rice with intact, unbroken kernels.
• Vegetable Stock: Choose low-sodium stock for better flavor control.

• Parsley Leaves: Pick fresh, vibrant green leaves with no wilting.
• Olive Oil: Use extra virgin for richest flavor and quality.

Cooking Gear for Veggie Paella

• Dry Pan: Sturdy, heavy-bottomed pan for high-heat charring and cooking.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp blade for precise, fine chopping of vegetables.
• Cutting Board: Spacious surface for ingredient preparation.
• Measuring Spoon: For accurate olive oil measurement.
• Boiling Pot: Large pot for blanching green beans in water.
• Colander: To drain green beans quickly and efficiently.
• Wooden Spoon: Perfect for stirring and mixing ingredients.
• Small Bowl: For dissolving saffron in hot water.
• Citrus Zester: To create fresh lemon zest easily.
• Serving Platter: Beautiful dish to present the final rice creation.

Step-by-Step Vegetarian Paella Directions

• Ignite Smoky Flavors

Crank up a dry pan to high heat. Char spring onions for 2-3 minutes until they develop a deep, smoky color. Set aside these aromatic gems.

• Create Veggie Foundation

Finely chop garlic, onion, green pepper, tomato, and parsley stalks. Drizzle olive oil in the same pan over medium heat. Sauté the chopped veggies and padron peppers until they soften and release their vibrant essence.

• Transform Rice and Beans

Drop green beans into boiling water for a quick 3-minute blanch. Drain and keep crisp. Stir cooked brown rice into the pan, cranking up heat to create a caramelized base. Dissolve saffron in hot water and pour into the mixture.

• Infuse Final Touches

Pour vegetable stock and let simmer until liquid evaporates completely. Toss in mixed olives, bright lemon zest, and a splash of lemon juice. Fold in blanched green beans, charred spring onions, and fresh parsley leaves. Garnish with a zesty lemon wedge for an explosive flavor experience that dances on your palate.

Vibrant Jamie Oliver Vegetarian Paella Recipe

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4.8 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty jamie oliver vegetarian paella celebrates Spain’s culinary traditions with colorful seasonal vegetables and aromatic rice. Delightful spices and fresh ingredients create a satisfying meal that connects home cooks to Mediterranean cooking.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 medium onion
• 4 spring onions
• 1 green pepper
• 1 tomato
• 8 Padron peppers
• 120g (4.2 oz) green beans
• ½ bunch parsley
• 250g (8.8 oz) cooked brown rice
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 pinch saffron
• 150 ml (5 fl oz) vegetable stock
• 1 handful mixed olives
• 1 lemon
• 1 lemon wedge (for serving)
• olive oil

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Instructions

1. Charring Aromatics: Heat a dry skillet and blacken spring onions for 2-3 minutes, creating smoky depth. Remove and set aside.
2. Vegetable Preparation: Mince garlic, onion, green pepper, tomato, and parsley stalks into fine, uniform pieces for consistent flavor distribution.
3. Sautéing Base: Drizzle olive oil in the skillet and cook minced vegetables over medium heat until they become translucent and release their aromatic essence, approximately 3-4 minutes.
4. Pepper Transformation: Add padron peppers to the skillet, allowing them to soften and caramelize over 7 minutes, developing a rich, complex flavor profile.
5. Bean Blanching: Quickly boil green beans for precisely 3 minutes, then drain and reserve, maintaining their vibrant color and crisp texture.
6. Rice Integration: Introduce brown rice to the vegetable mixture, increasing skillet temperature to intensify flavor and create a golden, slightly crispy bottom.
7. Liquid Infusion: Dissolve saffron in hot water, then pour into the pan along with vegetable stock. Simmer until liquid evaporates completely, typically 10-15 minutes, creating a concentrated, aromatic base.
8. Flavor Enhancement: Fold in mixed olives, sprinkle freshly grated lemon zest, and squeeze lemon juice to brighten the dish’s overall taste profile.
9. Final Assembly: Gently incorporate cooked green beans, charred spring onions, and fresh parsley leaves, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
10. Serving Presentation: Transfer paella to a serving plate and garnish with a lemon wedge, adding a final burst of citrusy freshness.

Notes

• Char Strategically: Achieve deep flavor by carefully blackening spring onions and vegetables, which develops rich, smoky undertones without burning.
• Precision Chopping: Cut vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the paella.
• Liquid Management: Control moisture by allowing stock to fully evaporate, creating the signature crispy bottom layer (socarrat) traditional in authentic paella.
• Temperature Control: Gradually increase skillet heat when adding rice to enhance flavor complexity and prevent sticking or burning.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: UK

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 9g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 60g
• Fiber: 8g
• Protein: 10g
• Cholesterol: 0mg