Partridge fideuà

serves 4

This dish is similar to paella but it uses pasta instead of rice. Originating from Valencia, the dish would traditionally consist of shellfish and thin strands of pasta (fideus) and be seasoned with lemon and saffron. Including partridge with its stock is an excellent addition and helps to make it the perfect nourishing winter feast. Remove the breasts from the bones and keep to one side. Place the carcass with the legs in a saucepan with a litre of cold water.

Bring to a simmer and cook for one hour. Strain and reserve the liquid and strip the meat from the bones.

In a frying pan or paella dish, gently sauté in the olive oil the onions, garlic, celery and pepper with the bay leaves and chorizo for 15 minutes; the onions should have softened and started to go sweet. Add the pasta, squid rings, prawns, partridge breasts and shredded leg meat, season with salt and pepper then pour over the stock and sprinkle over the saffron.

Bring to a simmer and cook for about 5 minutes. Everything should be cooked and most of the stock absorbed.

Serve straight away with a sprinkle of parsley and paprika, wedges of lemon and a bowl of mayonnaise.