can any one give me a good but simple recipe for pealla, its one of my most favourite dishes but i have only found 2 recipes for it. One is complicated and exspencive and the other was lacking in flavour, im no nigella so need simple suggestions. Any advice and help would be appreciated thanks, rinniex

Like with risotto the key to a tasty paella is a good stock. Gently saute any veg/meat/fish you are using, add herbs/garlic/ginger/spices then the rice then the stock. For general use I use a powdered vegetable stock and I've also found that the new stock pots [i think made by knorr] are also quite good. Otherwise it's down to making your own chicken or veg stock is the most commonly used.

I use this one:

http://www.waitrose.com/recipe/Paella_with_Scottish_Mussels.aspx

I use that as a basic recipe and vary the ingredients, sometimes substituting chicken, chorizo, squid etc. It works very well. I use Bart smoked paprika, it has a bit more of a kick than some other brands.

One crucial thing is not to stir the rice like with a risotto - just let it bubble gently away. The sticky burnt bits you get on the bottom are the best! The Spanish have a special name for them but I can't remember it...

Socorrat!

http://www.spanish-fiestas.com/recipes/paella.htm

ooh i cant wait to try this now. Thanks very much to you all. I have bought enough ingredients to try around 3 recipes so i am gonna play abnut and will ket you know.