How to Cook Paella with a Caja China: A Unique Spanish Dish with a Cuban Twist

Paella, a beloved traditional Spanish dish originating from the Valencian region, is known for its rich flavors, vibrant colors, and diverse ingredients. Whether it’s made with seafood, chicken, rabbit, or a mix of vegetables, paella has become a global favorite. While paella is traditionally cooked over an open flame in a wide, shallow pan known as a “paellera,” a modern and exciting twist involves cooking it in a Caja China—the traditional Cuban pig roaster. This method imparts a unique smoky flavor and creates a perfectly cooked dish that combines the best of Spanish cuisine with the innovative Caja China cooking technique.

In this guide, we’ll take you through the process of making Paella with a Caja China, exploring the necessary ingredients, techniques, and benefits of using this innovative cooking tool. Whether you’re hosting a party, gathering with family, or simply exploring new ways to cook traditional dishes, this version of Paella will undoubtedly impress everyone at the table.

What is a Caja China?

Before we dive into the Paella recipe, let’s first understand what a Caja China is and why it’s such an ideal cooking tool for dishes like Paella. A Caja China (literally “Chinese Box” in Spanish) is a traditional Cuban roasting box typically used for slow-roasting pigs. It’s designed with a metal cooking chamber where heat is created by placing charcoal on top, allowing it to cook food indirectly from above. The heat circulates within the box, cooking food evenly and giving it a delicious smoky flavor. The Caja China is known for its ability to cook large cuts of meat to perfection, but it can also be used for various other cooking applications, including grilling, baking, and even making Paella.

The advantage of cooking Paella in a Caja China is that it replicates the intense, even heat of traditional open-flame cooking but with the convenience and control of a modern cooking tool. The smoky aroma from the charcoal combined with the heat retention in the Caja China will create a Paella that’s rich in flavor with a beautifully crisp bottom layer known as “socarrat,” the hallmark of a perfectly made Paella.

Ingredients for Paella in a Caja China

Paella is a versatile dish, and the ingredients can be tailored to your taste. Below is a classic seafood and chicken Paella recipe, but feel free to customize the ingredients according to your preferences.

For the Paella:

  • 1 ½ cups of short-grain rice (such as Bomba or Arborio rice, which absorbs the liquid well and gives the dish a creamy texture)
  • 2 tablespoons of olive oil
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1 bell pepper, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 medium tomatoes, grated or chopped
  • 4 cups of chicken stock (or seafood stock for a seafood version)
  • 1 ½ cups of dry white wine (optional but adds depth of flavor)
  • 1 teaspoon of paprika (preferably smoked paprika for an extra smoky flavor)
  • ½ teaspoon of saffron threads (for the signature yellow color and distinct flavor)
  • 1 tablespoon of fresh thyme or a few sprigs of rosemary
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)

Protein and Vegetables:

  • 4 chicken thighs, boneless and skinless, cut into pieces
  • 12-16 pieces of shrimp (peeled and deveined)
  • 1-2 cups of mussels or clams (optional)
  • 1 cup of peas (frozen or fresh)
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced into strips (for garnish)
  • 1 lemon, cut into wedges (for serving)

Preparing Your Paella in a Caja China

Now that we have all the ingredients prepared, let’s walk through the steps of cooking Paella in your Caja China. The process involves a bit of preparation, but the final result will be a delicious, smoky, and satisfying dish. Follow these steps for a perfect Paella every time.

Step 1: Preheat the Caja China

  1. Set up your Caja China: Place your Caja China in a safe, well-ventilated outdoor area. If you have a larger Caja China, this recipe will work best with the medium or large size, depending on the quantity you’re making.
  2. Prepare your charcoal: For Paella, you’ll want to use high-quality charcoal. Start by filling the charcoal tray with enough charcoal to provide a steady heat for the cooking process. You’ll need about 2 to 3 pounds of charcoal.
  3. Light the charcoal: Use a lighter fluid or a chimney starter to light the charcoal. Once the charcoal has reached a steady, glowing heat, spread it evenly across the tray.
  4. Preheat the Caja China: Close the lid of the Caja China and let it preheat for 10-15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches around 400-450°F (200-230°C). This will ensure that the cooking environment inside the Caja China is hot enough to create that perfect Paella texture.

Step 2: Prepare the Paella Base

While the Caja China is preheating, start by preparing the base for your Paella:

  1. Heat olive oil in a pan: In a large pan or a paella pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
  2. Cook the chicken: Add the chicken pieces and cook them until golden brown on all sides. Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.
  3. Cook the vegetables: In the same pan, add the chopped onion and bell pepper. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, until the vegetables have softened. Add the garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  4. Add the tomatoes: Grate or chop the tomatoes and add them to the pan, cooking for another 5 minutes until they break down into a sauce. Stir in the paprika, saffron, thyme, and salt. This will create the flavorful base for your Paella.

Step 3: Assemble the Paella in the Caja China

  1. Layer the rice: Add the rice to the pan with the vegetable and tomato mixture. Stir the rice to ensure it’s evenly coated with the sauce and seasoning.
  2. Add the stock and wine: Pour in the chicken or seafood stock and dry white wine, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
  3. Transfer to the Caja China: Once the liquid has come to a simmer, carefully transfer the mixture to a large, heatproof pan that will fit inside the Caja China. Spread the rice out evenly.
  4. Arrange the protein and vegetables: Place the cooked chicken pieces, shrimp, mussels, and peas on top of the rice. Garnish with slices of bell pepper and any additional vegetables you prefer.

Step 4: Cook the Paella in the Caja China

  1. Close the Caja China: Carefully place the pan with the Paella ingredients into the preheated Caja China. Close the lid tightly.
  2. Monitor the temperature: Let the Paella cook for about 25-30 minutes. During this time, the indirect heat will cook the rice and seafood evenly. It’s important to keep an eye on the temperature. The ideal cooking temperature for Paella in a Caja China is between 400-450°F (200-230°C).
  3. Check for doneness: After 20 minutes, check on the Paella by gently lifting the lid of the Caja China. The rice should be nearly fully cooked, with a slightly crispy bottom layer (the “socarrat”). If the rice is still undercooked, add a little more stock and close the lid to continue cooking for another 5-10 minutes.
  4. Rotate the pan if necessary: If you notice that some areas of the Paella are cooking faster than others, rotate the pan inside the Caja China to ensure even cooking.

Step 5: Serve the Paella

  1. Remove from the Caja China: Once the Paella is fully cooked and the rice is tender with a crispy bottom, remove it from the Caja China.
  2. Let it rest: Allow the Paella to rest for 5 minutes before serving. This helps the flavors settle and the rice absorb any remaining juices.
  3. Garnish: Sprinkle the Paella with fresh parsley and arrange lemon wedges on the side for extra flavor.
  4. Serve and Enjoy: Serve the Paella directly from the pan, ensuring each portion has a bit of the crispy “socarrat” on the bottom.

Tips for Perfect Paella in a Caja China

  • Use the right rice: Paella requires short-grain rice, which absorbs liquid well and provides the perfect texture. Bomba rice is the traditional choice for Paella.
  • Maintain a steady temperature: The key to cooking Paella in the Caja China is maintaining a consistent temperature. Monitor the heat and adjust the charcoal as needed.
  • Layer the ingredients properly: For the best results, add the protein and vegetables on top of the rice, so they cook evenly in the heat.
  • Customize the ingredients: Feel free to swap out seafood for other proteins like rabbit, chorizo, or vegetables for a vegetarian version.

Conclusion

Cooking Paella in a Caja China is a fun, flavorful way to experience the traditional Spanish dish with a unique twist. The Caja China’s ability to create high, even heat,

combined with the smoky aroma from the charcoal, results in a Paella that’s rich in flavor and texture. Whether you’re making it for a family gathering or a large celebration, this method is sure to impress your guests and make your Paella stand out as something truly special. Enjoy the process and, most importantly, enjoy the delicious results!