Paella Valenciana
Labels: going places, one dish meals, she cooks
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Each time a visit is made to one of the Canaries or to mainland Spain, I will always, always make it a point to have two particular dishes during our sojourn - Prawns in Garlic Oil and Paella Valenciana.
Today I thought I'd be adventurous and try the Paella out myself. I had to improvise with the pan though since I didn't have a proper Paella one which is shallow and flat. I used my wok instead and cursed myself for not fetching one back when we visited Spain earlier this year. I was standing outside a cookware store in Valencia and staring right back at me from the storefront were rows upon row of Paella pans in every size imaginable. Don't forget to come back for it later, I reminded myself. Of course I promptly forgot. I got distracted by Balenciaga shoes an hour later, you see. Next time.....
Well, I did just fine with the wok and taste wise, it is almost what it should be but there's a certain something missing. Guess I can't recreate the feeling of warm salty sea breezes and gorgeous sunsets while dining al fresco by the beach. Oh well, that's what holidays are for.
Ideally, I would have liked to use mussels in their shells but these are out of season so I had to make do with the fresh precooked ones. The shells would have made the dish even more visually stunning.
The other thing is this. I didn't elaborate much on the actual cooking since this was my virgin attempt and I feel I have room, a whole mansion full in fact, for improvement. So until I get at least the right pan and try out other similar Paella recipes, I'm going to quietly practice away and leave the talking to the experts.
The Dutchess of Cookalot whipped this up at 1:39 pm
: April 25, 2007 9:24 pm : April 26, 2007 5:10 amjq: Yes, my cooking mojo is back. Hopefully it stays for a long while. Unfortunately, it eats into my stitching time too. Can't have your cake and eat it right? :P
As for the gambas/almeras al pil pil, that's my favourite tapas and starter dish, great for dipping bread in and so very easy to make. Viva España!
I have yet to find a tapas or starter I didn't like yet, pig that I am.
Yes, viva España indeed!
