Arroz Negro (Black Rice with Squid and Squid Ink)
Local name: Arròs negre
In short: Squid and short-grain rice simmered in fish stock colored with squid ink, cooked paella-style until creamy with a toasted base and served with lemon. It takes about 1 h in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 40 min
- Resting
- 5 min
- Total
- 1 h
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 450 kcal
Arroz negro, black rice, gets its color and sea flavor from squid ink. It is cooked like paella, in a wide pan with squid, peppers and a tomato sofrito, and is eaten along the Mediterranean coast from Valencia to Catalonia. The rice should be slightly creamy at the center with a toasted base. A spoonful of garlic mayonnaise on the side is the traditional finishing touch.
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a 32 cm (12.5 in) paella pan or wide skillet over medium heat. Cook the onion and pepper for 8 minutes until soft. Add the garlic and cook 1 minute.
- Add the squid and cook for 3 minutes, stirring. Stir in the tomato and cook until the mixture is thick and jammy, about 3 minutes.
- Stir in the paprika, then pour in the wine and let it bubble away, about 2 minutes.
- Whisk the squid ink into the hot stock and pour it into the pan. Bring to a boil and taste. It should be a little salty, so add salt if needed.
- Scatter in the rice in an even layer and do not stir again. Cook over medium-high heat for 8 minutes, then medium-low for 8 to 10 minutes, until the stock is absorbed.
- Raise the heat for 30 to 45 seconds to toast the base, listening for light crackling. Rest the pan under a towel for 5 minutes, then serve with lemon wedges.
Tips
- Squid ink comes in small sachets from fish counters and delis. If you cannot find it, buy whole squid and save the ink sacs, or leave the rice golden and call it arroz de calamares.
- Serve with garlic mayonnaise (alioli), which is the traditional partner. Its richness balances the briny rice.
Questions and answers
Does arroz negro taste fishy?
It tastes of the sea, lightly briny and sweet from the squid, but not fishy. Good fish stock makes the biggest difference.
Will squid ink stain my teeth?
Yes, temporarily, and it can stain clothes and cloths too. Keep napkins close and brush afterward.
Can I use risotto rice for arroz negro?
Arborio will work, though it releases more starch and turns creamier. Use about 900 ml of stock and cook it a little gentler, stirring once or twice.
How long does it take to make Arroz Negro (Black Rice with Squid and Squid Ink)?
About 1 h in total: 20 min of preparation and 40 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Arroz Negro (Black Rice with Squid and Squid Ink)?
About 450 kcal per serving, with 23 g of protein, 64 g of carbohydrates and 12 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 450 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 23 g |
| Carbohydrates | 64 g |
| Fat | 12 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 700 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
