Paella

They say you can eat a different rice dish every day of the year in Valencia, but for now, let's stick with the most traditional version. Paella Valenciana includes chicken or rabbit, saffron, runner beans, and butter beans as ingredients. The rice, ideally the bomba or Calasparra varieties grown on Spain's east coast, is the most important component, as they are particularly good at absorbing all of the flavors.

This vibrant rice dish is considered by many to be the epitome of Spanish cuisine. However, many Spaniards consider paella to be a Valencian dish rather than a national dish. However, this should not prevent you from making it at home. Paellas are traditionally made with chicken or rabbit (or both), but many chefs will add seafood to keep things interesting.

Calamari, mussels, prawns, or even clams are all options depending on your preferences. However, if you're feeling particularly daring, why not try a black paella? This paella is a great variation on the traditional paella because it uses black rice stained with octopus or squid ink.