Quick & Flavorful Jamie Oliver Vegetarian Paella Recipe

Vegetarian paella transforms ordinary ingredients into a vibrant culinary symphony that dances across your taste buds.

Mediterranean-inspired dishes rarely capture such robust flavors with such simple components.

Spanish cooking techniques merge beautifully in this colorful rice creation that promises intense satisfaction.

Home cooks can master this elegant meal without complex kitchen skills or expensive equipment.

Rich spices and fresh vegetables collaborate to elevate a seemingly humble dish into something extraordinary.

Seasonal produce becomes the star, highlighting natural textures and harmonious flavor combinations.

Balanced nutrition meets incredible taste in a single skillet, making meal preparation both joyful and straightforward: dive into this delicious adventure.

Why Jamie Oliver’s Vegetarian Paella Hits the Spot

• Flame-Roast Vegetable Flavor Boost: Charring spring onions and vegetables creates a smoky, intense taste that transforms ordinary ingredients into a deeply delicious paella experience.
• Quick and Nutritious One-Pan Wonder: This recipe simplifies cooking by using a single pan, reducing cleanup time while delivering a balanced, vegetarian meal packed with colorful vegetables and complex flavors.
• Vibrant Texture Symphony: Combining crispy charred onions, soft padron peppers, tender green beans, and fluffy brown rice creates a delightful mix of textures that makes every bite interesting and satisfying.
• Mediterranean-Inspired Wellness Meal: Packed with fresh ingredients like saffron, olives, and lemon, this paella offers a light, zesty dish that feels like a sunny Mediterranean vacation on your plate.

Staple Ingredients for Jamie Oliver Veggie Paella

• Onion, Green Pepper: Provides a robust flavor foundation for the paella.
• Garlic: Adds aromatic depth to the dish.
• Tomato: Brings natural sweetness and moisture.
• Brown Rice: Hearty whole grain base that provides texture and nutrition.
• Vegetable Stock: Creates rich liquid base for cooking rice and developing flavors.
• Padron Peppers, Green Beans: Add freshness, color, and vegetable variety to the paella.
• Parsley Stalks, Parsley Leaves: Offer fresh herbal notes and bright green color.
• Spring Onions: Provide a mild onion flavor with smoky char.
• Saffron: Gives traditional paella its signature golden color and distinctive taste.
• Lemon Zest, Lemon Juice: Adds bright, citrusy undertones to balance the dish.
• Mixed Olives: Introduce briny, salty complexity.
• Olive Oil: Used for cooking and adding smooth richness.

How to Cook Jamie Oliver Vegetarian Paella

Step 1: Char the Spring Onions

Grab a dry pan and crank up the heat to high. Char the spring onions for 2-3 minutes until they get a beautiful smoky color. Set them aside and get ready for flavor magic.

Step 2: Prep the Veggie Base

• Garlic
• Onion
• Green pepper
• Tomato
• Parsley stalks

Add of olive oil to the same pan over medium heat. Toss in the chopped veggies and cook for a few minutes. Throw in halved padron peppers and cook for 7 minutes until they soften beautifully.

Step 3: Blanch the Green Beans

Boil the green beans in water for 3 minutes. Drain and set aside, keeping them crisp and bright.

Step 4: Incorporate the Rice

Stir the cooked brown rice into the pan and turn up the heat to create some delicious caramelization.

Step 5: Add Saffron and Stock

Dissolve a pinch of saffron in hot water, then pour it into the pan. Add vegetable stock and let it simmer until the liquid completely evaporates (10-15 minutes).

Step 6: Final Flavor Boost

• Mixed olives
• Lemon zest
• Lemon juice

Stir in the cooked green beans, charred spring onions, and fresh parsley leaves. Serve with a zesty lemon wedge on the side for an extra flavor punch.

Pointers for a Stellar Paella by Jamie Oliver

• Unleash Saffron's Essence: Select premium saffron threads to inject authentic Mediterranean warmth and depth into every bite.
• Craft Perfect Texture: Choose short-grain rice that absorbs spices and creates a slightly sticky, traditional paella consistency.
• Transform Pan Dynamics: Select a wide, shallow pan allowing maximum rice surface for developing delectable crispy socarrat layers.
• Elevate Vegetable Harmony: Chop ingredients uniformly to guarantee consistent cooking and balanced flavor distribution.
• Intensify Flavor Layers: Toast spices and aromatics before adding rice, creating a robust taste foundation that makes every spoonful extraordinary.

Storing Jamie Oliver Vegetarian Paella

• Refrigerator Storage: Transfer the paella to a shallow, airtight container to preserve moisture and prevent flavor loss. Cool the dish completely before sealing to minimize condensation and maintain texture. Label the container with the date to track freshness.
• Freezing Method: Portion the paella into individual serving sizes for convenient reheating. Wrap each portion tightly in freezer-safe plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag to prevent freezer burn. Remove excess air from the bag to maintain quality and prevent ice crystals.
• Reheating Technique: Thaw frozen paella overnight in the refrigerator for best results. Sprinkle a few drops of water over the dish before reheating to restore moisture. Use a microwave or stovetop, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating and prevent drying out.

Fun Twists on Jamie Oliver Veggie Paella

• Mediterranean Garden Paella: Replace brown rice with quinoa for a protein-packed alternative, adding roasted zucchini and eggplant for extra Mediterranean flavors. Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese on top for a creamy finish.
• Spicy Southwest Paella: Incorporate black beans, corn kernels, and diced jalapeños to give the dish a fiery kick. Top with fresh cilantro and a dollop of Greek yogurt for cooling contrast.
• Autumn Harvest Paella: Swap green beans for roasted butternut squash and add caramelized mushrooms. Include sage leaves and a touch of nutmeg to enhance the seasonal warmth. Garnish with toasted pumpkin seeds for added crunch.
• Asian-Inspired Veggie Paella: Mix in edamame, water chestnuts, and baby bok choy. Drizzle with sesame oil and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds. Add a dash of soy sauce for umami depth.

A Note on Jamie Oliver Vegetarian Paella

Paella’s Mediterranean magic dances on plates, weaving Jamie Oliver’s vegetarian masterpiece with bold Spanish flavors.

Rustic charred spring onions whisper stories of traditional cooking techniques.

Saffron-infused rice carries golden memories from Spanish kitchens.

Green beans and padron peppers create a symphony of garden-fresh ingredients.

Classic culinary traditions meet modern plant-based creativity in this extraordinary dish.

Bold flavors call you to explore, savor, share this recipe across social networks – tag friends, spark conversation, ignite culinary passion!

Jamie Oliver Vegetarian Paella Recipe

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4.6 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Spanish culinary magic comes alive in this vegetarian paella, blending Mediterranean flavors with colorful vegetables and aromatic saffron rice. Hearty ingredients dance together, creating a memorable meal that invites you to savor each delicious, herb-infused bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Vegetable Ingredients:

• 1 medium onion
• 4 spring onions
• 1 green pepper
• 1 tomato
• 8 Padron peppers
• 120g (4.2 ounces) green beans
• ½ bunch parsley

Protein and Grain Base:

• 250g (8.8 ounces) cooked brown rice

Flavor Enhancers and Seasonings:

• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 pinch saffron
• 150 milliliters (5 fluid ounces) vegetable stock
• 1 handful of mixed olives
• 1 lemon
• 1 lemon wedge (for serving)
• Olive oil

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Instructions

1. Carefully char spring onions in a dry, high-temperature skillet for 2-3 minutes until slightly blackened. Transfer to a separate plate and set aside.
2. Finely mince the garlic, onion, green pepper, tomato, and parsley stalks into uniform, small pieces.
3. Pour one tablespoon (15 milliliters) of olive oil into the same skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped vegetables and sauté for approximately 3-4 minutes until they become translucent.
4. Introduce halved padron peppers to the skillet and cook for 7 minutes, allowing them to soften and develop a slight caramelization.
5. In a separate pot, bring water to a rolling boil and add green beans. Cook for exactly 3 minutes, then promptly drain and reserve.
6. Integrate the cooked brown rice into the vegetable mixture, raising the skillet’s temperature to enhance flavor development.
7. Dissolve a pinch of saffron in hot water, then pour the infused liquid into the pan. Add vegetable stock and simmer until the liquid completely evaporates, which typically takes 10-15 minutes.
8. Fold in a handful of mixed olives, freshly grated lemon zest, and squeeze lemon juice for brightness.
9. Gently incorporate the previously cooked green beans, charred spring onions, and fresh parsley leaves.
10. Plate the dish and garnish with an additional lemon wedge for serving.

Notes

• Prep ahead by organizing and chopping ingredients, creating a seamless cooking rhythm that transforms meal preparation into an enjoyable experience.
• Saffron transforms the dish with its luxurious golden hue, infusing each grain with a rich, aromatic warmth that whispers of Mediterranean traditions.
• Charring vegetables in a dry pan unlocks deep, caramelized flavors that add complexity and depth to every delicious bite.
• Brown rice introduces a robust, nutty undertone while packing the paella with extra nutritional goodness and hearty texture.
• Fresh herbs sprinkled at the final moment burst with vibrant color and zesty brightness, lifting the entire dish with their clean, garden-fresh essence.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: UK

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 250 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg