The Love of Paella

Maybe you’re an expert on Paella, maybe not. It doesn’t matter either way, because if you aren’t hooked on this staple of Spanish cooking already, you soon will be.

So, what is Paella exactly? Paella is a well-known Valencian rice dish that makes use of different kinds of meat, like chicken and rabbit, plus lots of vegetables. Sausages and different kinds of chorizo can also be included, and of course you shouldn’t forget the rice, which cradles the meat and the vegetables.

All right, now you have some idea of what Paella is, as far as the basics go. Just to make sure you are well versed on the subject, you should know that there are different kinds of paella out there as well. Mixed paella, which is made up of seafood and meat, and pure seafood paella can be ordered and enjoyed in many parts of Spain.

This hearty dish really is a delight, and is one of the Spanish foods, along with chorizo sausages, that have gained immense popularity outside of Spain. Paella originated as a meal for workers who were out in the fields toiling away. It was pretty easy to make, and animals like rabbits and snails were easy to find and add to the mix. The great thing about paella back in the day was how community oriented the preparation and consumption of the rice, meat and vegetables was. Everyone could just sit around the giant paella pan, and scoop the food up with their spoons once the meat had been thoroughly cooked.

For those of you who are not in Spain, you can try to make paella at home on your own. If you can’t get hold of traditional paella pan, then grab the biggest fry pan you can find. It won’t be as good, but it will have to do. There are all kinds of recipes out there for different types of paella. Surf the Internet and you’ll be inundated with ideas, or check back here for our own paella recipe, which you can try out for yourself. Buen provecho! Buen apetito!