Paella

By: Alexa Shaw

Paella consists of endless combinations of

various meats, fish, shellfish, rice and vegetables.

It is considered by some to be one of Spain's "national" dishes.

What is Paella?

The poor people of Valencia invented the

original Paella. Originally, Paella consisted of home grown

vegetables, cuts of rabbit and short grain rice. Traditionally it was eaten directly from the

round pan with everyone sitting in chairs around it calling it “Round Table”.

How did Paella come about?

The name of the dish, Paella, was named

because of the pan it was cooked in, traditionally called Paella or Paellera.

Why the name Paella?

The base flavor is provided by a saute of

aromatics called a sofrito: -Saute until the vegetables soften, the flavors meld and the resulting mix is thick enough to hold its shape. The mixture will darken and turn into a thick puree. Rice is cooked with either a chicken or

shellfish stock. Saffron gives the main color and flavor to the

Paelle dish.

How is it prepared?