Fusion Paella | Vegan, Gluten Free Recipes (2024)

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4.50 from 2 votes

by Eric O'Grey

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Published: March 18, 2018 Last Updated: February 25, 2021

The CNN crew loved this recipe! You'll love it too.

This is one of my very favorite recipes.adapted from different cooking classes taught by Philip Gelb, vegan chef, of Oakland, California. I make the Fusion Paella recipe frequently in a traditional 17-inch paella pan. On occasion, I also make it in a 12-inch cast iron frying pan with half the ingredients listed below.

What makes this recipe special? In addition to being a gluten free, low-calorie, and high-protein, fusion paella, is the combination of two unique and distinctive flavors. The paella base is made using traditional flavors of Spain, including smoked paprika and saffron. But the tofu topping is marinated with teriyaki, a delicious and traditional flavor of Japan. Two distinct flavors come together for a deliciously unique taste.

I promise you’ll find the combination of these flavors to be amazing and powerful. They’ll make your jaw drop! In fact, I recently made this dish for a CNN camera crew that was filming in my home. They loved it so much it was included in my CNN segment.

But let’s talk tofu, shall we? I often hear people say that they hate tofu. When I ask why, I typically find that they have only tried it once or twice, usually at an Asian restaurant where it was served as slimy white chunks. I also dislike uncooked tofu. But there are many reasons why millions of people around the world eat tofu every day as a complete source of protein and flavorful meat alternative.

Grilled, baked, or sautéed with vegetable broth, tofu is a high protein, low-calorie main ingredient that can be browned and cooked without oil. Tofu is a chameleon food and has little flavor of its own. After first pressing out the water and then rehydrating the tofu with a flavorful marinade, it will become imbued with the flavor of the marinade.

You’re likely familiar with the popular whole grain, quinoa. The benefits of tofu are similar to those of quinoa. Both are a complete protein, gluten-free, and have little taste of their own, making each the perfect food to take on any flavor you like. You’ll love this fusion paella, vegan, gluten-free recipe!

Equipment Recommended:

1. 17-inch carbon steel paella pan, seasoned (optional, 12-inch cast iron skillet)
2. Tofu press

If you prefer to cut the recipe in half, I recommend using a 12-inch cast iron skillet instead of the paella pan.

When looking for an impressive recipe for a special occasion, look no further than Fusion Paella. If have you read my book, Walking with Peety, or plan to, you will understand just why this recipe is a real crowd pleaser.

4.50 from 2 votes

Fusion Paella | Vegan, Gluten Free Recipes

With the fusion of Spanish and Japanese flavors, this dish is unique, delicious, and healthy.

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Prep Time 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes

Yield 9 people

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

16 ounces tofu block, extra-firm, organic
2/3 cup tamari or soy sauce, gluten-free
2 tablespoons brown rice vinegar
2 tablespoons mirin
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 teaspoon ginger finely minced
1 cup peas
1 cup green beans cut into 1 inch segments
1 cup asparagus tips or other fresh vegetable (e.g., fresh corn kernels)
2 carrots large, or 3 medium, sliced into 1/8 inch rounds
2 yellow onions small to medium, finely diced
6 garlic cloves finely minced
4 tomatoes medium (heirloom or on-the-vine if possible), finely diced
2 1/2 cups paella rice (please do not use regular or arborio rice in this recipe)
1/2 teaspoon saffron threads 2 grams
vegetable broth as specified below
2/3 cup marsala wine
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1 teaspoon crushed black pepper
2 teaspoons salt or to taste

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Press water out of tofu blocks using tofu press, then slice blocks sideways and lengthwise into 4-5 planks.
Sauté each tofu plank using a non-stick pan in vegetable broth until lightly brown, replenishing vegetable broth as it evaporates. Deglaze evaporated broth from the pan as you replenish.
Spread tofu slabs on a baking sheet with parchment paper and bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. After baked tofu slabs cool, slice into 1/2-inch cubes, then marinate cubes for at least 1 hour in a refrigerated solution of tamari or soy sauce, maple syrup, mirin, rice vinegar, and finely minced ginger.
Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat with 1/4 cup vegetable broth until bubbling. Sauté vegetables for 3-5 minutes until al dente. Replenish with additional broth and deglazing the pan as broth evaporates, then drain vegetables and set aside.
Add 1/4 cup vegetable broth to paella pan over medium heat until bubbling, then add onion and salt. Sauté until onions are translucent, deglazing with vegetable broth as needed.
Add garlic and tomatoes to the pan and cook for 15 minutes, stirring every minute and deglazing the pan as needed.
Add rice to mixture, stir vigorously, and sauté for one minute.
Add marsala wine and stir well until absorbed into rice.
Add 4 cups vegetable broth, saffron threads, smoked paprika, and black pepper.
Completely stir once, then reduce to low-medium heat and do not stir again. The goal is to encourage the formation of a caramelized crust of rice that should form on the bottom of the pan – you will inhibit the formation of this golden crust if you stir after this point.
Simmer for about 15 minutes until most liquid has visibly evaporated.
Arrange tofu and vegetables evenly and decoratively on top of the rice.
Place paella pan in oven for 10 minutes until all liquid is evaporated.
Remove from oven and allow to sit for five minutes before serving.

Nutrition Information

SmartPoints (Freestyle): 7

Keywords dairy-free, Gluten-Free, Plant-Based, Vegan, Vegetarian

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Tag @skinnyms on Instagram or hashtag it #skinnyms

Learn more about Eric and his initiatives in his new book,Walking with Peety, and atEricandPeety.com.