If you find yourself craving the delicious flavors of paella but don’t have the traditional Spanish rice on hand, don’t worry – you can make this iconic dish with sushi rice.
While short-grained Spanish rice varieties like Bomba and Calasparra are customarily used, substituting your stash of sushi rice is an easy fix. Just be aware that you may need to tweak the liquid and cook time since sushi rice tends to be stickier and requires less water.
The texture and taste will be a bit different with this swap, but you can still pull off a tasty paella. Rinsing the sushi rice well and reducing the broth used can help compensate. So while sushi rice may not provide an authentic paella experience, with a few adjustments you can come close.
If you’re eager to keep enjoying paella flavors with an unconventional rice swap, read on for more tips on how to adapt this classic recipe.
An Overview of Paella Rice vs. Sushi Rice
Paella is classically made with short-grain Spanish rice varieties like Bomba, Calasparra, or Valencia. These rices give paella its characteristic texture:
- Absorb broth well
- Remain firm and separate
- Resist overcooking
In contrast, sushi rice is a short-grain Japanese rice that tends to be sticky since it contains more starch.
So while substituting sushi rice won’t replicate the exact paella experience, it can work in a pinch! Here’s what to do.
Tips for Cooking Paella with Sushi Rice
While sushi rice differs from paella rice, you can adapt your recipe method to make it work. Here are some tips:
Rinse the Rice First
This removes excess starch for a less gummy texture. Rinse sushi rice in a mesh strainer until the water runs clear.
Use a Paella Pan
The wide, shallow pan allows for socarrat – the coveted crispy rice layer that forms on the bottom.
Reduce the Liquid
Since sushi rice needs less water than Spanish rice, cut back on the stock or water used.
Don’t Stir the Rice
Let it cook undisturbed once added to the pan to prevent over-stickiness.
Adjust Cook Time
Sushi rice usually cooks faster than paella rice. Start checking a few minutes early.
Get Socarrat!
Let the cooked paella rest for 5+ minutes to form the crispy socarrat rice crust.
How to Make Paella with Sushi Rice
Follow this straightforward recipe to make paella with sushi rice:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups sushi rice
- 3 cups chicken or seafood stock
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup diced tomato
- 1 pound protein (chicken, shrimp, etc)
- 1 cup peas
- Saffron threads
- Paprika, salt, pepper
Instructions:
- Rinse sushi rice thoroughly until water is clear.
- In a paella pan, sauté onion and garlic until soft.
- Add rice and stir to coat for 2 minutes.
- Add stock, tomatoes, and seasonings. Bring to a boil.
- Arrange proteins and peas evenly over rice. Do not stir.
- Cook over medium heat for 12-15 minutes. Check rice for doneness.
- Remove from heat and let sit for 5+ minutes to form socarrat.
- Fluff rice with a fork and enjoy!
Make It Your Own
Part of paella’s appeal is how customizable it is. Try these fun add-ins:
- Seafood like clams, mussels, squid
- Sausage, chicken, shrimp
- Red pepper, artichokes, beans
- Lemon, parsley, saffron
Use any proteins and veggies you desire. The sushi rice will soak up all the flavors!
Troubleshooting Paella Made with Sushi Rice
Even using an unconventional rice, you can troubleshoot your paella to perfection:
Too Soft/Mushy:
- Rinse rice thoroughly before cooking
- Use less liquid
- Don’t stir the rice once cooking
Too Sticky:
- Be sure to rinse rice first
- Use a paella pan to allow evaporation
- Fluff with a fork after cooking
Not Enough Crispy Socarrat:
- Use a paella pan
- Cook over higher heat
- Let paella rest before serving
Uneven Cooking:
- Spread rice and ingredients evenly
- Cook gently over medium heat
- Resist stirring during cooking
Enjoy Paella with a Twist
While sushi rice may seem an unlikely substitute, with a few tweaks you can absolutely craft an delicious paella using rice you have on hand. The textures and flavors will be a bit different from the Spanish classic, but it will still be tasty!
So next time a paella craving strikes, don’t hesitate to pull out that bag of sushi rice. With some simple adjustments to your technique, you can whip up an inventive paella everyone will love. ¡Buen provecho!
