Paella with rabbit and chorizo sausage

SERVES 4

INGREDIENTS

4 ripe plum tomatoes, cut in half
½ cup (125 mL) olive oil, divided
1 onion, finely chopped
5 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 tsp (10 mL) sherry vinegar
2 lbs (1 kg) rabbit, cut into 10 pieces
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
8 oz (250 g) dry-style Spanish chorizo, cut into ½-inch (1-cm) slices
1½ cups (375 mL) Bomba rice
1Tbsp Paella Seasoning ( with SAFFRON)
3 cups (750 mL) homemade or butcher-prepared chicken stock
½ cup (125 mL) fresh or frozen peas

DIRECTIONS

Place a coarse grater over a bowl. Working with a half tomato at a time, press flesh-side of tomato against and grate flesh into bowl; discard skin. Repeat with remaining halves. Set aside.
Heat ¼ cup (60 mL) olive oil over medium heat in a large sauté pan. Cook onion until translucent, about 4 minutes. Add garlic, stir and cook another 2 minutes until garlic is lightly golden; scrape grated tomato into pan. Stir in vinegar and reduce heat to medium- low. Cook for 20 to 22 minutes, stirring frequently in the final 10 minutes to prevent burning, or until mixture is very thick, noticeably darker, and tomatoes have caramelized. Remove from heat and set aside.
Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
Heat remaining ¼ cup (60 mL) olive oil over medium heat in a 14 to 16 inch (35 to 40 cm) paella pan. Season rabbit generously with salt and pepper. Brown pieces on both sides, about 8 minutes. Remove to a plate.
Brown chorizo until starting to crisp, about 4 minutes. Turn rice out into pan over chorizo and stir to coat rice in oil. Add reserved tomato mixture, rosemary, thyme, paprika, saffron, and chicken stock; stir to evenly distribute rice and chorizo. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Lay rabbit in a single layer over rice. Increase heat to high, bring to a vigorous boil and cook for 3 minutes.
Cover with foil, place in oven and cook for 12 minutes. Remove foil, sprinkle with peas and cook, uncovered, for 3-5  more minutes over medium heat. You are crisping up the bottom layer, you may hear it crackle, but DO NOT let it burn.

Let it rest for 5 minutes and serve.

PAELLA - slightly amended LCBO Food & Drink Summer 2014