This Spanish-Style Roasted Red Pepper and Paprika Prawn Rice is a vibrant and flavorful dish that brings the taste of Spain to your table. With marinated prawns, roasted red peppers, tomatoes, and a hint of paprika, this dish is perfect for dinner parties, tapas nights, or a cozy family meal. Simple to prepare, and cooked in one pan, it combines traditional Spanish flavors with a modern twist.

Full Recipe: 

Ingredients

• 1 red romano pepper, diced

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 3 tbsp roasted red pepper paste

• 300g Arborio risotto rice or paella rice

• 1 M&S Beldi preserved lemon, finely chopped

• 275g Arlintia tomatoes, halved

• 150g Piccolo vine tomatoes

• 2 packs (230g) M&S king prawn skewers with chilli, garlic, and paprika

• Handful of flat-leaf parsley

• Olive oil for cooking

• 700ml vegetable stock

• Pinch of saffron (optional)

• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Preheat Oven & Sauté Vegetables: Preheat your oven to 180°C fan. Heat a splash of olive oil in a large oven-proof frying pan. Add the diced red pepper and cook with a pinch of salt for 5-10 minutes, until soft. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 2 minutes.

2. Add Red Pepper Paste & Rice: Stir in the red pepper paste and cook for 1 minute. Then add the rice, and cook for 1 more minute, stirring frequently to coat the rice.

3. Cook the Rice: Stir in the vegetable stock, saffron (if using), and preserved lemon. Season with salt and pepper, then top with halved Arlintia tomatoes and Piccolo vine tomatoes. Transfer the pan to the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the rice is tender. If the rice looks dry during cooking, add a splash of water.

4. Cook the Prawns: For the last 6 minutes of baking, place the prawn skewers on top of the rice to cook through.

5. Serve: Drizzle the dish with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle with fresh parsley. Serve hot.

Nutrients (per serving)

• Calories: 460 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 55g

• Protein: 30g

• Fat: 18g

  • Saturated Fat: 2g

• Cholesterol: 120mg

• Sodium: 940mg

• Potassium: 650mg

• Fiber: 4g

• Sugar: 5g

• Vitamin A: 950 IU

• Vitamin C: 90mg

• Calcium: 90mg

• Iron: 3mg

The Flavors of Spain in One Dish

Spanish cuisine is known for its bold and rich flavors, often using simple ingredients to create complex and comforting dishes. The Spanish-Style Roasted Red Pepper and Paprika Prawn Rice embodies this approach by blending traditional Spanish ingredients like roasted red peppers, paprika, and saffron into a dish that feels both familiar and exciting.

The addition of prawns, which are commonly used in Spanish seafood dishes such as paella, adds a savory depth and a slight sweetness to the rice. Paired with the roasted red peppers and tomatoes, the prawns bring both a textural contrast and a burst of flavor, making each bite unique. The paprika, another quintessential Spanish ingredient, gives the dish a subtle smokiness that complements the sweetness of the peppers and tomatoes.

This dish is an excellent representation of how Spanish flavors can be modernized without losing the essence of what makes them so special. Whether you’re new to Spanish cuisine or a long-time fan, this recipe offers a perfect introduction to the bold and delicious tastes of Spain.

The Importance of the Ingredients

The success of this dish lies in its carefully chosen ingredients, each of which brings something unique to the table. Red peppers, for instance, are a staple in Spanish cooking and provide sweetness, color, and texture to the dish. Roasting the red peppers brings out their natural sugars, enhancing their flavor and adding a smoky depth that complements the other components. The diced red peppers serve as the base for the dish, providing a tender, sweet foundation for the rice and prawns.

Garlic is another essential ingredient in Spanish cuisine, and in this dish, it adds a fragrant, savory undertone that deepens the overall flavor profile. When sautéed, garlic becomes mellow and aromatic, blending seamlessly with the peppers and tomatoes.

Preserved lemon is a surprising yet brilliant addition to the dish, offering a burst of citrusy brightness that contrasts beautifully with the rich, savory components. The preserved lemon enhances the other ingredients, balancing the sweetness of the peppers and the umami of the prawns.

The combination of different tomatoes—Arlintia and Piccolo vine tomatoes—adds both sweetness and acidity, helping to create a well-rounded, flavorful base for the rice. The juices from the tomatoes also help to infuse the rice with additional moisture, ensuring that it cooks to perfection and absorbs all the flavors of the dish.

Cooking the Rice: A Tender, Flavorful Base

The rice is the heart of this dish, providing a comforting, substantial base that ties everything together. Arborio risotto rice or paella rice is used in this recipe, both of which are great for absorbing the rich flavors of the dish while maintaining their texture. Paella rice, in particular, is ideal for this type of recipe because it is designed to absorb large amounts of liquid and flavor without becoming mushy.

As the rice simmers in the vegetable stock and saffron, it takes on the rich flavors of the other ingredients, resulting in a tender and flavorful dish. The addition of saffron, though optional, is a quintessential element of many Spanish rice dishes, adding a subtle floral and earthy flavor while also giving the rice a beautiful golden hue. The use of vegetable stock instead of water further enriches the flavor of the rice, ensuring that every bite is infused with the savory, aromatic essence of the dish.

The Paprika Prawns: A Savory and Spicy Delight

The prawns are marinated with a blend of chili, garlic, and paprika, giving them a bold, smoky flavor that complements the richness of the rice and peppers. Paprika is a key ingredient in many Spanish dishes, and in this recipe, it adds a smoky heat that infuses the prawns with a depth of flavor. The prawns themselves provide a slight sweetness, which contrasts beautifully with the savory, spicy elements of the dish.

The prawns are placed on top of the rice during the last few minutes of cooking, ensuring they are perfectly cooked through without overcooking. This technique allows the prawns to retain their delicate texture while absorbing the flavors from the rice and the rich, smoky paprika. Once cooked, the prawns become a central component of the dish, adding both flavor and protein to the meal.

The Beauty of One-Pan Cooking

One of the best aspects of this dish is its simplicity and the convenience of cooking everything in one pan. By using a single, ovenproof frying pan, the flavors have the opportunity to meld together perfectly, and the cooking process is streamlined. The technique of roasting the dish in the oven allows the rice to absorb the stock and tomatoes slowly, cooking evenly and developing a tender, flavorful texture.

The use of one pan also means less cleanup, making it an ideal recipe for busy weeknights or when you want a flavorful meal without spending a lot of time washing dishes afterward. The ability to layer all the ingredients in one pan and let them cook together is a time-saving approach that doesn’t sacrifice flavor or quality.

Garnishing and Serving the Dish

Once the rice is cooked and the prawns are perfectly tender, the dish is ready to be served. Drizzling the finished dish with extra virgin olive oil adds a luxurious richness that enhances the overall flavor. The fresh parsley provides a burst of color and a bright, herbaceous contrast to the smoky, savory components of the dish. The final touch is the rocket leaves, which add a peppery freshness that balances the richness of the rice and prawns.

This dish can be served on its own or with a side of crusty bread to soak up any extra sauce. If you’re serving it as part of a larger tapas spread, it pairs well with other Spanish dishes such as patatas bravas, chorizo, or a light salad. Whether served as a main course or as part of a festive gathering, this dish is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Conclusion

The Spanish-Style Roasted Red Pepper and Paprika Prawn Rice is a flavorful, vibrant dish that brings the tastes of Spain to your home. With its combination of smoky paprika, tender prawns, and rich, flavorful rice, it offers a delightful twist on traditional Spanish cooking. The use of simple yet bold ingredients, along with the convenience of one-pan cooking, makes this dish both easy to prepare and delicious to eat. Perfect for dinner parties, tapas nights, or a cozy family meal, this recipe is versatile and sure to impress. Whether you’re a fan of Spanish cuisine or new to its flavors, this dish is an exciting and delicious way to explore the rich culinary traditions of Spain.