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When Cooking Spanish Paella Do Not Stir The Ingredients

Spanish Paella

March 27th is the annual observance of National Spanish Paella Day.  A rice dish from Spain, paella has become very popular and is known around the world.  It originated in its modern form in the mid-19th century in Valencia, on the east coast of Spain.

At lunchtime, workers in the fields would make the rice dish in a flat pan over a fire. They mixed in whatever they could find – such as rabbits, snails and vegetables. Later, for special occasions, chicken was added. Paella has spread to every region of Spain, as well as worldwide, using almost any type of ingredient that goes well with rice.

There are many versions of recipes of paella.  Key ingredients are saffron and olive oil. Saffron is an essential spice that also turns the rice a beautiful golden color.

Paella is a delicious dish which deserves its own holiday, so on March 27 we celebrate National Spanish Paella Day. Considered by many to be the national dish of Spain, paella originated, as many traditional dishes do, as “peasant” food — a lunchtime rice dish prepared by workers in the field over an open fire. Always cooked in a round, flat bottomed pan with handles, the dish most likely takes its name from the Latin term “patella,” a flat plate on which offerings were made to the gods. The open flame is essential, as it creates the layer of toasted rice at the bottom of the pan that is essential and unique to paella. Delicious!

Some Paella facts:

A.  It’s something to share with friends
Paella is a very social dish, traditionally brought straight to the table and eaten right out of the pan. It’s the perfect excuse to bring together a group of good friends to enjoy a meal together.

B.  It takes skill
A specific cooking technique is used for a dish to be called “Paella”. Besides using a short grain, pearl like rice, paella must be cooked in the traditional shallow, flat bottomed pan. The ingredients, once added, should not be disturbed, allowing the delicacy known as “socarrat,” or crispy bottom rice layer, to form.

C.  It’s versatille
Paella is all about the rice, so whatever else you choose to add is up to you. A traditional Valencian pella is made with chicken, rabbit and white beans, but there are seafood paellas or even vegetable paellas. The choice of ingredients is entirely your choice, so grab a paella pan and experiment!

Sources: NationalDayCalendar  NationalToday