Bunissima

I like to cook. Once in a while I like to try new things. While paella is not all that exotic, I never did it and today I just told myself that I have to try it once and for all. Here is what you need:

1/4 cup (2 fl. oz) of olive oil

5 cloves minced garlic

1 large yellow onion, chopped

4 cups (32 fl. oz) vegetable broth

2 cups (16 oz) rice

4 medium tomatoes, skinned, seeded and chopped

1 small red bell pepper, seeded and cut into thin strips

1 small green bell pepper, seeded and cut into thin strips

1 small yellow bell pepper, seeded and cut into thin strips

2 cups (14 oz) artichoke hearts (I used endives but I guess artichokes are much better)

3 oz surimi

1 lemon

a dash of pepper

some parsley, if desired or to garnish

lemon wedges, to garnish

1. I cut all the vegetables, and sauteed the onion. I added the garlic a little bit later, as garlic cooks faster than onion. Meanwhile I started boiling the water for the broth.

2. Add the rice and sautee for a little while, up to 5 min max, add the bell peppers and tomatoes and cook for 3-5 more min. I also added some garlic again and some pepper.

Meanwhile the soup was ready so I poured it over the rice.

3. When the liquid was absorbed, I added the endives. I also put some chipotle chile pepper. After 5 more minutes I turned off the gas and added the surimi.

Here is how it looked when ready to eat:

It was a great cooking experience and this will become one of the dishes I cook at home regularly.