No Spanish restaurant in Mornington or anywhere else for that matter is complete without serving Paella. Paella is probably one of the most famous Spanish dishes recognized worldwide. It has definitely grown in popularity. It is so popular that trying an authentic Paella dish is part of any tourists’ itinerary upon visiting Spain.
Why is Paella so irresistible? Why is it easy to fall in love with Paella? These are just some of the questions many people ask after having a serving of it. People crave the Paella at restaurants nearby even for breakfast in Mornington or anywhere. It is so good that people crave for it any time of the day.
To uncover the mystery behind the Paella, it is best to get to know this scrumptious Spanish dish a little better.
History of Paella
The history of Paella dates back to the era where Moorish kings ruled the land we now call Spain. Simply put, its beginning is not as glamorous as it may be considered nowadays. For starters, it is believed that the servants first introduced Paella’s concept.
After a huge banquet, servants made use of the leftovers. Since rice is abundant in the Valencia region, it came to no surprise that it has been integrated into the dish. Different spices were also added to make it taste special.
Since resources are scarce, the servants needed to think of practical ways to prepare the leftover dish. As such, they made use of a shallow dish in order to cook the rice evenly. Also, the pan served another purpose- serving. The paella dish was used straight from the fire to the table.
The rest is history. Thanks to the ingenuity of these servants. If not for them, the world won’t be introduced to this delectable and savory dish.
Special ingredients
The Paella recipe is actually not that complicated. The ingredients vary depending on the region. However, the more common ones are as follows:
- Olive oil
- Short grain rice (Arborio rice)
- Paprika
- Onion and garlic
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Bay leaf
- Oregano
- Parsley
- Stock of preference
- Shrimp
- Red pepper flakes
- Lemon zest
- Choice of meat (the more authentic Paella actually includes Rabbit meat)
Remember, Paella is not a “Paella” without one special ingredient- Saffron. Saffron is from the stamen of a flower. Any Spanish restaurant in Mornington or authentic tapas bar in Madrid or Barcelona would know this.
Saffron gives the Paella a distinct flavor. Go easy on the saffron, though. A little goes a long way. For one, adding too much of it may not make any practical sense. A little pack costs a fortune.
Cooking the Paella
Before getting started, a special Paella pan or dish is required. Spanish term for this paella pan is Paellera. It is a shallow pan which comes in different diameter. It is important to know the number of servings to determine the appropriate size. For a Paella enthusiast, having varying sizes is ideal.
Steps in cooking the paella
- In a separate bowl, combine together paprika, oregano, salt, pepper, and olive oil. Use this to marinate the chicken. It is best to prepare this a day before cooking the Paella.
- On the day of cooking the Paella, add the garlic, bay leaf, lemon zest, parsley, saffron, and short-grain rice with olive oil over medium heat. Add the stock of choice. In this case, chicken stock is used. Bring to a boil. Reduce to medium-low heat for 20 minutes.
- In a separate pan, heat olive oil and stir in the marinated chicken (from overnight marination) and onion. Depending on the size, cooking both may take about 5 minutes. This is also a good time to stir in the bell pepper and shrimp. Cook until the shrimp turns pink.
- As the rice is cooked in the Paellera, evenly distribute the chicken, shrimp, onion, bell pepper, and other used meat on top. Serve.
Easy-breezy?
Well, not quite. Cooking the perfect Paella takes a lot of time and practice. Expect that the first attempt may not come out as expected. However, don’t lose hope. Soon, your paella may even be better than your favorite Spanish restaurant in Mornington.
With dedication and commitment, you can transform your home to one of the best breakfast places in Mornington for serving Paella and other authentic Spanish dishes. Who said you can’t have Paella for breakfast, right?