Arròs negre

Arròs negre (, ) is a Valencian and Catalonian dish made with cuttlefish (or squid) and rice, somewhat similar to seafood paella. In fact, some call it paella negra (black paella in Spanish).

Arròs negre should not be confused with black rice, the collective name for several cultivars of heirloom rice that have a naturally dark color.

The traditional recipe for this dish calls for squid ink, cuttlefish or squid, white rice, garlic, green cubanelle peppers, sweet paprika, olive oil and seafood broth. However, many cooks add other seafood as well, such as crab and shrimp, as the photo to the right suggests.

The dish's dark color comes from squid ink which also enhances its seafood flavor.

In addition to Valencia and Catalonia, this dish is popular in Cuba and Puerto Rico where on both islands it's known as arroz con calamares (rice with squid in Spanish).

Fideuà negra (black noodles in Catalan) is a variation made with noodles instead of rice and is usually served with aioli.

Basic cooking method

• Make seafood broth from crab, fish, onion, bell pepper, garlic and bay leaves.

• Heat oil in a paellera.

• Salt cubanelles and sauté.

• Add cuttlefish (or squid) and sauté.

• Add garlic and sauté.

• Add rice and sauté briefly.

• Add paprika and sauté.

• Add broth.

• Add squid ink.

• Simmer until rice......
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