Paella, the most famous Spanish dish

Paella, the most famous Spanish dish

Paella is rice with chicken and seafood.
Perhaps, paella is the most popular Spanish dish, appeared in Valencia. It is famous for the variety of seafood, served with rice. This tasty dish is perfect for any occasion- from the family dinner to the official lunch. You can add any seafood or meat to your taste.

The first recipe of paella, formerly known as Valencian rice, appeared in the manuscript of the XVIII century. At the end of the century, this dish became famous throughout Spain.

This dish is called after the pallet (large pan), in which it was prepared. The Valencian name of frying pan (“paella”) comes from the Latin word “patella” (kneecaps). This Valencian rice, or “paella” originates from Marjaldela Albufera in Valencia. The first recipes of “paella” were prepared with so-called “delamarjal”. Anguilla, green beans and snails were among the other ingredients of “paella”. Due to a lack of these ingredients, the residents of other regions started to add the new ones, such as rabbit and chicken meat (while the people from Albufeira also used duck). But today, Valencian paella is made of rabbit and chicken meat. The rice for paella is cultivated in the province of Valencia in the large rice fields, such as “Arroz Bomba”, most commonly used for making “paella”.

“Paella” became popular throughout Spain. You can find different recipes of this dish (the Spaniards love cooking, especially men) to any taste. The most famous types of “paella” are “Valencian” and “mixed” (with meat and seafood). However, some recipes also include cauliflower, aubergine and other ingredients.

Traditionally, “paella” is made on wood (pine is especially popular). Making this dish includes a lot of preparation (especially if you make it on holidays or weekends for a big family or friends).  There is an old tradition to eat “paella” right from the frying pan, using the wooden spoon.

At the beginning of XX century, “paella” became popular all over the world, but now it is famous as a national Spanish dish.