After receiving a warm smile from the vendor, Yusuke and I happily dug into our paella de mariscos!
When I tasted paella de mariscos for the first time, I loved how savory and filling the rice was. I was pleasantly surprised that the rice tasted different from the Mexican rice my mom makes at home. I think this was because paella uses olive oil, which is a healthier (though more expensive) option, whereas my mom uses vegetable oil to cook rice. The combination of olive oil and seafood made the paella burst with delicious flavors. Every bite was a savory delight. Yusuke really enjoyed his paella de mariscos, too! We hope to visit the Mercat Central again and try paella valenciana next time, since we loved our first experience with paella!
Paella is prepared in a large dish using olive oil, spices, rice and the protein of choice. Paella valenciana includes more vegetables, such as lima beans and red peppers, and it is typically served with rabbit meat. Seafood paella is prepared similarly, though its ingredients make the process a bit different. To cook seafood paella, olive oil, seasonings, and garlic are first added to a large pan under medium heat. The squid is briefly cooked in the oil, then removed to make way for the fish broth. Once all the flavors are combined, cups of round rice are added to the pan while still cooking. Finally, seafood is added to the dish and left to rest, allowing the paella to finish cooking.
