tiny tapas - toddler paella

INGREDIENTS

PROTEIN

85–100g chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces

3 prawns (optional)

VEGETABLES

30g spinach, finely chopped

1 garlic clove, peeled and minced

1 small shallot, finely diced

Fresh parsley, finely chopped, for garnish

OTHER

55g Spanish rice

15g olive oil (about 1 tablespoon)

15g tomato paste (about 1 tablespoon)

15g marinara sauce (about 1 tablespoon)

5g butter (1 small knob)

350g chicken bone broth

100g water

Onion powder, paprika and a pinch of salt, to taste

DIRECTIONS

PREP

Finely chop the spinach, shallot and garlic. Cut the chicken into small bite-sized pieces and set everything aside.

**HOT TIP!! Keep a "trash bowl" beside you while cooking. Pop all your scraps, packaging and peels into it as you go. It keeps your workspace tidy and makes cooking feel so much smoother.

COOKING

Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.

Add the chicken and cook for about 2 minutes until lightly golden. Season with onion powder, paprika and a tiny pinch of salt.

Add the diced shallot and sauté for 1–2 minutes until softened.

Stir in the chopped spinach and cook until wilted.

Add the tomato paste and cook for another minute to remove the raw flavour.

Stir in the garlic, once fragrant add butter.

Add the rice and stir for about 30 seconds, coating every grain in the butter. Season again with onion powder, paprika and a pinch of salt.

Pour in the first 200g of broth mixture and stir.

Continue cooking, adding the remaining liquid in 50g increments each time the rice has absorbed most of the liquid. This process should take around 22–25 minutes.

PRAWNS (OPTIONAL)

While the rice is cooking, season the prawns with onion powder, paprika and a pinch of salt.

Sear for about 2 minutes per side until cooked through.

FINISH

Once the rice is tender, season to taste and stir through the marinara sauce.

Top with the cooked prawns, sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve warm.

WAYS WE USE IT

Perfect on its own, with extra lemon squeezed over the top, or served family-style so everyone can enjoy the same meal.