Imagine a dish that captures the essence of southeastern Spain’s vibrant culture and culinary tradition. Like a risotto, Valencian Paella is a rice dish from the heart of Spain's Valencia region, located two hours north of Murcia. It's not just a meal; it's a symbol of regional pride and an outstanding representation of Valencian cuisine. It’s popular in every tourist and non-tourist restaurant year-round, especially during cultural and religious holidays. Paella is never made for just one person; it's made to feed many people at once - something tied to its roots!
The two most common types of paella are the traditional paella valenciana (Valencian Paella) and paella de marisco (seafood paella). I tried paella de marisco. The rice, packed with flavorful seafood and laced with tangy tomato sauce, teases your taste buds with each bite. The shrimp, mussels and clams each have their own slightly distinct flavors and textures, adding immense taste to the rice and contributing to the dish's deliciousness.