Taste Paella

Visitors to Spain are compelled to try paella, one of Spain's most well-known foods. This meal is a synthesis of all Spanish cuisine, made with ingredients such as rice, saffron, vegetables, chicken, and seafood that are simmered and enjoyed in a pan. The most popular varieties of paella are mixed paella, chicken paella, and seafood paella (a combination of seafood, meat, and vegetables). Although originating from Valencia, Paella is recognized as one of the national dishes of Spain.

Paella was first prepared in Valencia as a lunch dish for farmers and farm laborers. The workers will gather whatever is in the vicinity of the rice fields, which are typically tomatoes, onions, and snails. Spain's social changes and rising level of life in the late 19th century encouraged meetings and excursions into the countryside and the paella's ingredients were altered as a result. The ingredients were frequently used during this time period such as short grain white rice, chicken, rabbit, snail, duck, butter beans, northern beans, running beans, artichokes (used in place of beans during the winter), fresh rosemary, monosodium glutamate, saffron, garlic (optional), salt, olive oil, and water.

Paella is traditionally prepared in Valencia over an open flame that is stoked with pine branches and pine cones. This produces a fragrant smoke that penetrates the paella as it cooks. Additionally, paella was served on plates rather than eaten directly from the pan by the guests. Some other recipes also require the paella to be covered and left to stand for 5 to 10 minutes after cooking.

In sum:

• Visitors to Spain should try paella, one of Spain's most famous dishes.
• Paella is traditionally prepared in Valencia over an open fire lit with pine branches and pine cones.
• This meal is a combination of ingredients such as rice, saffron, vegetables, chicken, and seafood that are simmered and enjoyed in a pan.