Ingredients for Personal Paella with Squid and Spring onions

• 240ml seafood stock or clam juice

• Small pinch of crumbled saffron

• 1/4 teaspoons pimenton (smoked Spanish paprika)

• 4 to 140g cleaned squid, bodies cut into 1/4-inch rings and tentacles halved lengthwise

• Kosher or sea salt

• Freshly ground black pepper

• 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil

• 1/8 teaspoons red pepper flakes, or more to taste

• 2 spring onions, white and green parts, thinly sliced

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 60g Arborio, Bomba, or other short-grain rice

• 4 large cherry tomatoes, quartered

Preheat the oven to 204°C.

Combine the seafood stock, saffron, and pimenton in a small saucepan over medium heat and bring to a simmer; reduce the heat to very low and cover.

Lightly season the squid with salt and pepper. In an 8-inch cast-iron or other heavy skillet, heat 1 teaspoon of the olive oil over medium-high heat. When it shimmers, add the squid and cook, stirring frequently, just until the squid lose any translucence and exude their juices, 30 to 60 seconds. Transfer the squid to a plate and decrease the heat to medium.

Add the remaining 1 teaspoon of oil, then the red pepper flakes, spring onions, and garlic and sauté until the spring onion starts to soften, another 2 to 3 minutes. Add the rice and cook until the grains are well coated with the pan mixture, 1 minute.

Pour in the hot broth and bring to a gentle boil. Decrease the heat to medium-low. Taste the liquid and add salt to taste, then let it continue to gently bubble, swirling the pan occasionally, for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the rice has swelled and absorbed much of the liquid; it should still be slightly soupy.

Stir in the squid and tomatoes. Transfer the pan to the oven and bake, uncovered, for 10 to 15 minutes, until the rice is al dente, or mostly tender but with a little resistance in the centre.

Remove the pan from the oven, cover with a lid or aluminum foil, and let it sit for about 5 minutes, until the rice is tender. Uncover and return it to the stovetop over medium-high heat and cook for about 2 more minutes, to brown the bottom of the rice.

Spoon it out onto a plate, and eat. Don't worry if it sticks. Just scrape it up and know that this is what the Spanish call soccarat, the crispy pieces that are considered a sign of a great paella.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.