Paella

The term paella refers to a rice dish that originated in Spain in the city of Valencia. Paella is typically eaten on Sundays and special holidays. Literally, the Valencian word paella translates simply into frying pan in English. But with the rise in the dish's popularity over the years, paella has come to refer to the dish itself, while paellera is the term now typically used for the pan it is cooked in.

Paella ingredients

While the three main ingredients are rice, olive oil, and saffron, paella is often garnished with meat and/or seafood, and various vegetables. As the dish spread throughout Spain and to the rest of the world, it became increasingly elaborate with many variations on the original recipe.

Some of the more popular variations are paella de peix, or fish paella, and paella de marisco, or shellfish paella. As you can tell by the names, these dishes feature seafood over more traditional meat. Today paella recipes feature a large variety of ingredients such as chorizo, garlic, lobster, mussels, onions, red and green peppers, shrimp, and squid, etc. They can also be as simple the original three-ingredient recipe. However you choose it's certain to make for a colorful eating experience.

Paella preparation

The preparation of paella is a fairly simple operation. They are generally prepared in what are known as paella pans, which are shallow, flat pans that vary in size from large to extra large.

The first step in the process is to stir fry the meat and vegetables in olive oil.

Then the rice is added so it can be suffused in the oil.

Chicken or beef stock is then added to the pan, which will be reduced in the boiling process.

When the rice is just about done, the paella pan is removed from the heat in order to absorb whatever water might remain.

It is then cooled and is ready to be served.

Paella traditions

Before the paella is served, someone must utter the magic words bon profit. In many places, it is perfectly good manners to eat the paella directly out of the pan with a spoon, and generally there is no bread served along with it. Paella is a dish that ranges from simple, family picnics, to larger events such as protests and political campaigns. For larger events, enormous, super-sized paella pans are often used.

More information on paella pans