Southern European Olympian: Paella with Sausage and Shrimp

The pressure is on our competitor from Southern Europe after the solid opening performance by the Asian team. With Spain's soccer team winning the 2008 Euro Cup, 2010 World Cup, and 2012 Euro Cup they look dead on favorites to win the Olympic soccer competition ... oh and ouch. Let's see if Paella with Sausage and Shrimp can give the south of Europe something to cheer for.

Ingredients (serves 2):

2 chicken andouille sausages

6 peeled shrimp

1/2 cup arborio rice

1 red pepper

3 scallions

1.5 cups vegetable stock

slice of butter

pinch of saffron

sea salt & black pepper

1. Heat a pan over a medium heat. Add the arborio rice and butter, mixing for 1 to 2 minutes.

2. Add 1/2 cup of vegetable stock and the saffron to the pan. Crush the saffron slightly (this brings out the oil which gives paella its bright yellow color) and reduce the heat, stirring regularly. When needed add more stock until rice is cooked, around 15 to 20 minutes.

3. In another pan, add chopped scallion and chopped red pepper with a drop of olive oil over a medium heat. Sautee for 5 to 7 minutes peppers are tender. 

4. Remove the peppers and onions, setting them aside for the moment. Add a drop of vegetable stock to the pan, then add the sausage (you can half or slice the sausage here, I sliced it but it is purely your preference). Cook for 5 to 7 minutes then set aside vith the vegetables.

5. Add a drop of vegetable stock again to the pan, and add the shrimp. Based on the size of your shrimp the cooking times will vary, about 5 minutes or until both sides are pink.

    

    TIP: Place the shrimp in the pan clockwise from 12 o'clock, this will let you know which ones you put on first and subsequently where you need to begin turning them over assuring they all cook for the same amount of time.

6. When the shrimps are about done, add back the sausage and vegetables, mix the ingregients and cook for a minute before adding to the rice.

7. Mix thoroughly and season with salt and peper to taste before serving.

Is redemption on the cards? We shall see. Only one more competitor left, the hometown hero, my more healthy (see: less fried) version of the British classic Fish and Chips. Enjoy!