Recipe! Vegan Paella (in a rice cooker)

Ingredients (makes about 3-4 servings):
1.5 cups of brown rice (only because this is what I had, use a short grain rice for paella)
2.5 cups of homemade veggie stock
1 brown onion (finely diced)
1 red capsicum (finely diced)
2 cloves of garlic (crushed or finely diced)
1 ripe tomato
1 tbsp of olive oil
1 cup of pre-cooked black beans
1 large portobello (diced)
1 cup of peas
1 tsp of smoked paprika
1/4 tsp of powder cinnamon
1/4 tsp of powder turmeric
1 tsp of chilli flakes
1 lemon
1/2 to 1 tsp of salt (if you’re using your own veggie stock you might need more salt, if you’re not, I found that I don’t really need too much salt here).
1 large pinch of saffron (I actually run out and didn’t have any in the pic above, so I just added more turmeric to give it a “yellow” colour)

In a pot, pour veggie stock and turmeric (and saffron if you have it) together. Bring to a simmer and stir, setting aside.

In a large pan, add olive oil, diced onion, salt and capsicum together. Cook until onion become clear-ish. Add garlic, chilli flakes and tomato. Cook until jammy. (It’s important that you finely dice the veggies, as it will take longer to cook to jammy. If you’re feeling a little lazy or you chopping skills aren’t great – use a food processor or blender to chop or pulse)

Add smoked paprika and cinnamon and stir together. Spices will become fragrant.

Add brown rice and mushrooms into pan, cook until rice becomes translucent.

Pour into a rice cooker and add veggie stock. Have a taste of the stock here – does it taste salty enough? If not add a little more. Turn rice cooker on.

Leave until rice cooker finishes. My clicks once done. Add more salt if needed and gently fork and lift the rice. If you find that the rice is still a little on the hard side, leave on “keep warm” for about 30mins to 1 hour, you might need longer depending on your rice cooker. (Here I added the frozen peas, and left it on keep warm for about 30 mins).

Serve with a wedge of lemon, fresh veggies.

Unglamorous and unfiltered photo of me actually eating it with a homemade tortilla! Super tasty!