Chickpea and Caramelized Onion Paella Recipe

Ingredients:

• SOFRITO:
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, minced (about 1 1/4 cup)
• 2 teaspoons pimentón (smoked Spanish paprika), dulce or picante
• 1 (15 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 large carrot, small diced
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons white miso paste (See Cook’s Tips)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• PAELLA:
• 3 cups vegetable stock
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 1/2 cups short grain rice (See Cook’s Tips)
• 1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt, more to taste
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and sliced into thin strips
• 1 (14 ounce) can quartered artichokes, drained
• 1 (10 ounce) package frozen peas
• 1 to 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• Lemon wedges
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh, Italian parsley leaves

Directions:

1. Make sofrito: Heat a large, cast-iron pan or heavy-bottom skillet over medium low heat. Add olive oil, onion, and pimentón. Sauté 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, carrot, garlic, tomato paste, miso, and 1 teaspoon salt. Continue to cook 10 to 12 minutes until everything is soft and paste-like. This low and slow process develops the sofrito, which is the fundamental flavor base to this dish.
2. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, bring vegetable stock and white wine to a simmer. Add turmeric and stir. Reduce heat to low and keep warm.
3. To the sofrito, add rice, chickpeas, 2 teaspoons salt, and 3 cups warm liquid mixture. Stir and evenly distribute contents of pan.
4. Over the top of the rice, scatter bell pepper and artichokes. Do not stir. Bring to a simmer. Cover with foil or lid. Reduce heat to low, and allow to cook, undisturbed 20 minutes. If rice seems too dry after 20 minutes, slowly drizzle a little more of the reserved, warm liquid around sides of pan. Taste rice and adjust seasoning, as necessary.
5. After 20 minutes of cooking, add peas. Replace foil cover and cook an additional 2 to 3 minutes or until everything is warmed through.
6. Top paella with a drizzle of olive oil, a squeeze of lemon, and chopped parsley.
7. Cook’s Tips:
8. Umami-rich miso paste adds depth of flavor to many dishes besides this one. It keeps a long time in the fridge so don’t shy away from buying a tub. Add it to marinades, stir-fry dishes, soups, and salad dressings. You can even bake with it!
9. When finished, don’t forget to scrape off the crispy rice at the bottom of the skillet. It will be caramelized, nutty, toasty, and have all the concentrated flavors of your paella. This is known as “socarrat” and is considered by many to be the best part!
10. Traditional paella is made with short grain, Spanish, bomba rice due to its ability to absorb a lot of liquid and not get sticky.