People in Valencia continue to take this dish seriously. There are two types of rice that are used. The dish is served with either red or white wine, depending on the ingredients used in the particularly recipe. The pan is placed in the center of the table and guests serve themselves.

Origins and variations of paella recipes

Written by: Jerry Blackburn

Paella is one of the best known of Spanish dishes. The dish originated in the Valencia region and spread throughout the country and around the world. The original dish was very simple, using any meat and vegetables that were available. As the popularity grew and the dish spread, many variations have been seen.

Basic Paella Recipe

A basic paella recipe is cooked in a paella pot. This is a large, flat, shallow pan. These pans can be found in kitchen stores or on the internet. The original recipes call for the dish to be cooked over an open flame. Most people now cook it on the stove top. In some areas, the open fire method is still used.

There are three main ingredients in a basic recipe. These are rice, olive oil and saffron. The dish is garnished with both fresh vegetables and rice. The original dish called for whatever meats and vegetables were available. There are many variations of the dish using different meats and vegetables.

The basic recipe calls for the meat and vegetable to be stir fried in olive oil. Once this is done, the rice is added to the pot. The boiling stock is added and the mixture is boiled. When the rice is cooked, the pan is removed from the heat. Once the dish is removed, you need to allow time for the rice to absorb the excess liquid.

Origins and Variations of Paella Recipes

This dish originated in Valencia. Traditionally, people used any meat they had available. In the coastal areas, seafood was often used. In other areas, rabbit or duck were commonly used in the dish. The one constant was that only Valencia rice was used. This dish was often eaten on Sundays with friends and family.

The recipe for paella spread from Valencia to other areas of Spain and then it spread through the Philippines, South America and North America as people travelled to and from Spain. As the popularity of the dish spread, more variations were seen. The preparation and serving became more elaborate.

There are several variations of the recipe throughout the country. A variety of locally caught fish is used in the coastal areas. Shellfish paella is another common variation in the coastal areas of the country. There are some less common, but still somewhat popular variations in other areas using rabbit, lobster and mussels.

Large pans are used to cook the dish for crowds. The dish is often served at festivals, parties, political campaigns and reunions. At these events, a very large pan is used. The dish is cooked over a fire outside at these events.

People in Valencia continue to take this dish seriously. There are two types of rice that are used. The dish is served with either red or white wine, depending on the ingredients used in the particularly recipe. The pan is placed in the center of the table and guests serve themselves.

Paella is one of those dishes that are excellent when eaten the next day. As the dish sits, the flavours have a chance to mix together and get stronger. As you travel through the country, sample the local dishes. Collect recipes so you can try your favourites at home.

About the author

Jerry Blackburn routinely produces web pages on themes dealing with Spain and cooking. His writings on paella can be discovered on his webpage and other web sites.

Related articles

  • Beers of the Canary Islands, Spain

    The Canary Island archipelago is famous for its sunny beaches, night life, excursions, hiking… Well people seem to find these islands suitable for a wide range of activities. One common factor is the climate, the Canary Islands are blessed with a pleasant temperature all year round. So what...

  • Canary Island pancakes

    For the British at least, Shrove Tuesday is probably better known as Pancake Day. Those wonderful delicacies, smothered in sugar and lemon and often tossed around in village competitions. As you will see from the recipes below, the Brits certainly don’t have the monopoly of this type of fare...

  • th_tenerife-wineWine production in Tenerife

    Wine searcher say, "Ycoden-Daute-Isora is the most ancient but most recently Denominated of Spain’s regions. The best dry white wines in Tenerife, from the Listan Blanco grape, are made here." (I think the reds are even better.) The region of Ycoden-Daute-Isora, which was...

  • Rioja wines and its varieties

    The Rioja region in Northern Spain is situated in the Rio Ebro valley, it’s northern border being bounded by the Sierra de Cantabrias mountain range and it’s southern by the Sierra de la Demanda. The resulting geographical location creates conditions that have produced a perfect...

  • How to cook a Spanish paella

    Paella is a traditional Spanish recipe that has seen many different various evolve, all of them equally as delectable! You can make paella with seafood in the real traditional sense or with chicken, rabbit, or a vegetarian version. The one ingredient that remains the same for any type of paella...

  • Traditional Spanish food

    Spanish food and wine is very much diverse in character, with variations in the cuisine culture stemming from geographic, cultural and climatic differences. One could say, however, that typical Spanish food is influenced heavily by the fact that the country has extensive access to the sea, giving...

  • Recipe and ingredients for a Spanish gazpacho

    Who wants to tuck into piping-hot soup during the summer ... enjoy refreshing gazpacho soup instead! Home-made soups are so good for you - all that nourishing stock and chock-a-block full of vitamins and minerals. But ... who on earth could face boiling bones for hours on end during the...

  • The flavour of Spanish tapas

    Imagine yourself on the terrace of an informal Spanish tapas bar. All around you, lively locals are engaged in animated conversation over their evening drinks. The atmosphere is buzzing - and loud! In front of you is a carafe of house wine, two glasses and your best friend. As you are chatting and...

  • Sangria - a refreshing Spanish drink

    Besides the beautiful weather and beaches of Spain, you’ll not want to miss out on one of the great sangria recipes at the local bars and restaurants. Sangria is a drink that’s traditional to Spain, and nearly any restaurant establishment will serve it. The recipe may be a little...

  • Variations of Paella recipes

    Paella is one of the best known of Spanish dishes. The dish originated in the Valencia region and spread throughout the country and around the world. The original dish was very simple, using any meat and vegetables that were available. As the popularity grew and the dish spread, many variations...

  • The rice dishes of Denia, Spain

    I just love trips where I’m never bored. I mean, don’t you just hate to go to a destination where there’s really only one attraction? Only one type of architecture? One thing the place is known for? That’s why I love Denia, Spain, which sits on the Mediterranean Sea....

  • Clasification of Spanish sherry

    L A G A R The lagar, in which the grapes are trodden and pressed, is a rectangular wooden trough, 12 feet square and about 2 feet deep, with a 6-foot iron screw in the centre; its floor rests upon four legs about 3 feet high: it has a lip, with a funnel attached to it, through which the sweet...

  • Spanish tapas - Tortilla omelette

    It certainly is a poor man or woman who cannot find a few eggs, a couple of potatoes and an onion in their store cupboard! The ever-practical Spaniard realized this and thus created their marvellous "tortilla" - an easy-to-make dish that could be savoured by rich and poor alike. Not...

Related news items

Authentic Paella Pans
Over 100 Spanish paella pans to chose from. Free serving spatula and ships out in 24 hours. Large selection.

Chef Quality Paella Supplies from Spain
Paella pans and ingredients from Spain. Free recipes.

Paella Ingredients from Spain Online
All paella ingredients, accessories and many more products, imported from Spain. Over 400 items on our site.

All You Need to Make Paella
Est. in 1996, LaTienda.com has everything you need to make paella: Ingredients, pans, burners and recipes. Free catalog.

Paella Items - Shop eBay
Look no further than eBay for kitchen items, from bakeware to water filters, it"s all on eBay.

Wheel Thrown Stoneware Paella Bowls
Approximately 11" in diameter. Originally designed for the traditional Spanish seafood rice meal, it can be used in many ways. Perfect with a lazy ...

Great Deals on Paella Pots
Get free paella recipes, great deals on paella pans, burners, tripods and more. Order gift sets online. Check out the latest paella techniques.

Find Your Paella Ancestors Now
Find Paella family history records. Create, grow and share your family tree at Ancestry.com. Download Ancestry Family Tree software? and start a 14...

Paella
Find paella. products here. Thousands of products and every major kitchen brand. Great selection and great service. 100% satisfaction guaranteed.

Paella
... Paella. From: Josee. Comments: Discard any unopened mussel shell after cooking ...

Paella - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
... variation is called paella de peix ("fish paella") or paella de marisco ("shellfish paella"), which is made ... chicken are the key ingredients...

Paella
Introduction: Paella is one of the most famous Spanish dishes. If you ever find yourself in a Spanish restaurant that serves paella give it a try. ...

PaellaPans.com - Paella Recipes
Paella recipes, plus we offer paella pans imported from Spain, along with tips, techniques, and recipes for cooking authentic paella at home. ... O...

Paella: Rice at Its Best
... Paella: Rice at Its Best. Authentic arroz en paella calls for the right pan and a thin blanket ... In Spain, that dish is paella. Get us talkin...

CyberSpain - Spanish Recipe: PAELLA
Paella Recipe, brought to you by Cyberspain ... There are many varieties of paella; every village and cook seems to have one (specially in the regi...