The dish is a striking visual panorama with a smorgasbord of colors. The white of the turnips contrasts beautifully with the vibrant yellow rice peeping through the colorful medley of red peppers and green peas. A sprinkle of vibrant green parsley brings a freshness to the dish while lightly char grilled lemon wedges add contrast.

Spanish Turnip Paella

Name: Spanish Turnip Paella
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Spanish
Ingredients: small turnips, 2 peeled and chopped; Arborio rice, 1.5 cups; Vegetable broth, 4 cups; onion, 1 finely chopped; garlic cloves, 4 minced; large red bell pepper, 1 finely chopped; Frozen peas, 1/2 cup; saffron threads, tiny pinch; smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon; cayenne pepper, 1/4 teaspoon; parsley, 1/4 cup for garnish; lemon wedges, for serving; olive oil, for sautéing; salt, to taste

Category Main Course

Prep 15 minutes

Cook 30 minutes

Style Spanish

Technique Sautéing

Diet Friendly Vegan

Daily Recipe: February 21, 2024

Our main dish is a 'Spanish Turnip Paella', a heartwarming and comforting feast that is a perfect meal for a cool winter day. This recipe takes the traditional Spanish dish of Paella and adds an unexpected twist with the addition of lovely winter turnips. The soft, subtle sweetness of turnips enhances the robust flavors of traditional Spanish spices making this dish a true celebration of flavors.

Ingredients (for 4)

Small turnips - 2 - peeled and chopped
Arborio rice - 1.5 cups
Vegetable broth - 4 cups
Onion - 1 - finely chopped
Garlic cloves - 4 - minced
Large red bell pepper - 1 - finely chopped
Frozen peas - 1/2 cup
Saffron threads - tiny pinch
Smoked paprika - 1 teaspoon
Cayenne pepper - 1/4 teaspoon
Parsley - 1/4 cup - for garnish
Lemon wedges - - for serving
Olive oil - - for sautéing
Salt - - to taste

Preparation

Step 1 - 🍳🧅🫑

Heat olive oil in a large pan, add chopped onion, minced garlic, and finely chopped bell pepper. Sauté until they soften.
Step 2 - 🥘🍠🔥

Add the peeled and chopped turnips to the pan and continue to sauté until they turn slightly golden in color.
Step 3 - 🥄🍚🌶️

Stir in Arborio rice, a tiny pinch of saffron threads, a teaspoon of smoked paprika, and a quarter teaspoon of cayenne pepper. Cook for about 2 minutes.
Step 4 - 🌊🥘🕓

Pour 4 cups of vegetable broth into the pan, let it simmer, stirring occasionally until the rice is cooked and has absorbed most of the broth.
Step 5 - 🥣🟢🔥

Add half a cup of frozen peas into the mixture, stir well and let it cook for another minute.
Step 6 - 🧂👅✅

Season the mixture with salt to your taste.
Step 7 - 🍽️🌿🍋

Serve your delicious dish with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley and lemon wedges on the side.

Additional

This dish can be easily customized depending on your preference or dietary needs. You can add proteins like seafood or chicken for a more traditional-style paella. Let children help with stirring the paella, just make sure they're being supervised due to the hot stovetop.