One of my all time favorite warm weather, outdoor patio, breeze blowing, happy dishes is Paella, a heavenly classic hailing from Spain.  I fell in love with it when I visited Barcelona for the first time. It consists of rice, primarily seasoned with saffron and paprika, and a variety and/or combination of meats (usually chicken or chorizo), seafood (mussels, clams, shrimp, lobster, calamari) and vegetables.  Bits of rice on the bottom of the pan that get crusted and crispy are called socarrat, considered a delicacy in Spain. I made up my own recipe and included shrimp and a variety of vegetables (olive oil and lemon roasted artichokes, butternut squash, onion, garlic, asparagus, & mushrooms). I absolutely love Chorizo and if I had some I would’ve added it. I also love to add freshly squeezed lemon juice & Spanish olives atop my paella, but this is optional. Below I have linked some variations of this beautiful dish for upcoming Spring patio weather & entertaining. e n jo y ! 

my roasted vegetable & shrimp paella //

peppers, butternut squash, onion & garlic pre-roasting

artichokes & paprika-dusted asparagus getting ready to roast

Roasted veggies / not pictured: roasted artichokes & mushrooms

one pan shrimp: cook the shrimp with the rice, allowing the juices to infuse for extra flavor

Final shrimp & roasted veggie paella!

other variations of paella //

seafood paella with saffron aioli, via Platings and Pairings

vegetarian paella with romesco sauce, via Two of a Kind Cooks

grilled seafood & chorizo paella, via Half Baked Harvest

Vegetable Paella, via Proud Italian Cook

veggie paella via Orchard Street Kitchen

Chicken, chorizo & seafood Paella via Mogwai Soup