Paella with Rabbit and Artichokes

Preparation

1. Step 1

   Squeeze juice from 1 lemon half into a bowl of cold water, reserving remaining half. Keeping stem attached, cut off top 2 inches of 1 whole artichoke. Bend back outer leaves until they snap off close to base and discard several more layers of leaves in same manner until exposed leaves are pale green at top and yellow at base.

   Step 2

   Trim dark green fibrous parts from base and sides with a sharp paring knife, then rub cut surfaces with reserved lemon half.

   Step 3

   Trim 1/4 inch from end of stem and trim sides of stem down to pale inner core (don't worry if remaining flesh is very thin), then cut artichoke lengthwise into 8 wedges and cut out choke.

   Step 4

   Rub cut surfaces with reserved lemon half and drop artichoke pieces into acidulated water. Trim remaining artichokes in same manner.

   Step 5

   Cut a shallow X in bottom of each tomato with a sharp paring knife and blanch in a 3-quart saucepan of boiling water 10 seconds. Transfer tomatoes with a slotted spoon to a bowl of ice and cold water to cool. Peel tomatoes, then discard seeds and finely chop.

   Step 6

   Prepare grill for cooking over direct heat with medium-hot charcoal (medium-high heat for gas); see Grilling Procedure

   Step 7

   Drain artichokes and pat dry between paper towels.

   Step 8

   Pat rabbit dry and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.

2. To cook first stage of paella using a charcoal or gas grill:

   Step 9

   Heat oil in paella pan on grill rack, covered with grill lid, until oil is hot but not smoking. Using pot holders, swirl oil in pan to evenly distribute it, then remove lid and brown rabbit well on all sides, turning, about 8 minutes total.

   Step 10

   Move browned rabbit pieces to outer edge of pan to slow down cooking while artichokes and bell pepper cook.

   Step 11

   Add artichokes and bell pepper to center of pan and cook, stirring and turning artichokes frequently, until artichokes are golden brown, about 4 minutes. (Turn rabbit pieces occasionally while cooking artichokes and bell pepper to prevent burning.)

   Step 12

   Add tomatoes, garlic, and remaining teaspoon salt and cook, stirring, until mixture is thickened, about 6 minutes.

   Step 13

   Sprinkle mixture with paprika and let cook, undisturbed, 1 minute, then bring rabbit in from sides of pan and stir into tomato mixture.

   Step 14

   Stir in stock and saffron.

3. To finish paella using a charcoal grill:

   Step 15

   Increase heat to high by stoking the charcoal, then cover paella with grill lid.

   Step 16

   Bring mixture to a boil, then sprinkle rice evenly around pan, avoiding pieces of rabbit. With a wooden spoon, gently agitate mixture to make sure rice is evenly distributed and all rice grains are submerged. (Do not stir again.)

   Step 17

   Cook, uncovered, rotating pan a quarter turn every 5 minutes, until all of liquid is absorbed and each grain of rice is distinct and just tender (similar to al dente), 20 to 25 minutes. (If all liquid has evaporated and rice is still not tender, sprinkle tepid water, a tablespoon at a time, over rice where needed and cook for 1 to 2 minutes more.)

   Step 18

   Carefully remove pan from grill, then cover with a clean kitchen towel and let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

4. To finish paella using a gas grill:

   Step 19

   Follow instructions above, starting with heat on high. After rice has been cooking for 10 minutes, reduce heat to medium and, continuing to turn pan a quarter turn every 5 minutes, cook until all of liquid is absorbed and each grain of rice is distinct and just tender (similar to al dente), 10 to 15 minutes more. (If all liquid has evaporated and rice is still not tender, sprinkle tepid water, a tablespoon at a time, over rice where needed and cook for 1 to 2 minutes more.)

   Step 20

   Carefully remove pan from grill, then cover with a clean kitchen towel and let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

5. Step 21

   *Available at specialty foods shops and tienda.com.