Nutrition Awareness Month: Recipe of the Week - Shrimp and Chicken Paella

March is Nutrition Awareness Month and we're celebrating all things food by sharing this delicious recipe, courtesy of the Oomph! On-Demand Wellbeing & Activities Platform.

The Oomph! On-Demand Platform is a central hub of more than 3,000 activities and events that are all specifically tailored for care home residents but can also be enjoyed by staff. It provides activity and wellbeing ideas on topics such as exercise, mindfulness, dementia care, cooking, creativity and many more!

Engaging in the cooking process stimulates the senses of sight, smell and touch, providing sensory enjoyment. Following the recipe and taking part in various tasks improves cognitive skills, keeping participants mentally active and fostering a sense of accomplishment, which positively impacts their cognitive wellbeing. 

Our first recipe of the week is available in full for you to try with your residents! 

Some discussion topics to get you started: 

• What spices or ingredients remind you of your favourite meals? 
• Have you ever been to Spain or tasted traditional paella? 
• Food often brings people together – what are some of your favourite foods from your culture?
   

Time: 45 mins 

You will need: 

• Large skillet or paella pan 
• Wooden spoon 
• Cutting board and knife 
• Measuring cups and spoons 
• Ladle 
• Tongs 

Ingredients: 

• 250g paella rice 
• 200g chicken breast 
• 150g shrimp, peeled and deveined 
• 1 onion, finely chopped 
• 1 red bell pepper, diced 
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 
• 1tsp smoked paprika 
• ½ tsp saffron threads 
• ½ cup frozen peas 
• 4 cups of chicken broth 
• 2 tbsp of olive oil 
• Salt and pepper (to taste) 
• Fresh parsley chopped (for garnish) 
• Lemon wedges (for serving) 

Making the Shrimp and Chicken Paella 

Preparation: Gather all the ingredients and utensils. Residents can help by washing the vegetables and chopping the onion and pepper (if capable). 

Cook the Spaghetti: Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil. Add a generous amount of salt to the boiling water. Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente (follow package instructions). Once cooked, drain the pasta using a colander, reserving some pasta water. 

Sauté Chicken and Shrimp: Heat the olive oil in the pan over medium heat. Add the diced chicken and cook until browned. Remove and set aside. Add the shrimp and cook until pink. Remove and set aside. Residents can take turns stirring and watching the chicken and shrimp cook. 

Sauté Aromatics and Vegetables: In the same pan, add more oil if needed and sauté the chopped onion, garlic, and red pepper until softened. Add the smoked paprika and saffron threads, stirring to release the flavours. 

Add Rice and Broth: Stir in the paella rice, coating it with the aromatic mixture. Carefully pour in the chicken broth, stirring gently. Residents can take turns ladling in the broth and stirring. 

Simmer and Add Ingredients: Let the rice simmer for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the cooked chicken, shrimp, and frozen peas. Mix gently. 

Final Touches: Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with chopped parsley. Serve with lemon wedges for extra flavour. 

Recipe top tips: 

• Encourage residents to participate in measuring ingredients and stirring the pot. 
• For safety, handle hot pans and utensils with care, and use oven mitts when needed. 
• Provide options for residents with different abilities to contribute, whether through stirring, chopping, or assembling.