artichoke hearts

I love paella but always thought it was a complicated dish to make at home. Recently a friend gave me a paella pan to prove how uncomplicated it is to put together. After my first attempt, I stand corrected: this dish is simple and can be easily made in a large saute pan. Once most of the ingredients are prepped, the scallop paella takes about an hour from start to finish.

The recipe calls for sea scallops, but a cheaper protein like shrimp or mussels would be just as tasty. The paella is perfect, with the essential crunchy crust along the bottom and moist almost-creamy rice on top. I fretted about overcooking the scallops, since they are such a delicate protein, but they were moist and full of flavor, thanks to the green chiles and roasted bell peppers.

If you want to celebrate Spring with a Spanish feast, keep reading for the succulent recipe.

Artichoke hearts, whether they're canned, jarred, or frozen, are a great pantry staple. There're countless ways to employ them — you can marinate them, make a quick dip, or as is the case with this recipe, use them to stuff chicken breasts.

When mixed with fresh herbs and salty cheese, the artichoke hearts become a filling and flavorful stuffing that also seasons the chicken breast. A simple tomato salad rounds out the menu, creating a meal that is scrumptious and elegant enough for last-minute entertaining. To serve it to your family tonight, get the recipe.