paella

Amalia's...is that a restaurant from where you live? I wish they had an outlet here so that I can have a chance to try out their paella. YUMMY! But for now, I get my Paella fix from only two sources: Alba's here in Manila, a restaurant franchise that is known in the metro for their authentic and rich-tasting Spanish cuisine; and Dos Mestizos in Boracay Island. If you ask which one is my favorite, it's definitely the one from Dos Mestizos. I've never tasted anything like it. It's really delicious, I can't explain it. Aaarrgh! Now I miss it! I think I should plan a return to Boracay soon!

I love eating paella especially when there is a lot of seafood in it... I have this one unforgettable experience eating paella. We were in Boracay back then. After exploring the island by bike, we were like famished and tired. And we were walking along the 3 or 4 kilometer stretch of white sand beach looking for the perfect spot and perfect food to stuff our empty stomach and aching bodies. And behold, there is this small Spanish restaurant where they are offering an eat all you can paella meal. That is only for PHP250 pesos or around USD6 to USD7...hahaha...And that is what we are looking for. We ate for 2 hours I think...hehehe...

A good paella is very easy to prepare and takes very little longer than the time it takes to cook the rice. A good paella is all about the ingredients and only needs a wide shallow pan (a specialised paella pan is not expensive and a good investment). Perhaps the most difficult to obtain ingredient is the proper mix of spices. In Spain you can buy these ready made in every supermarket. If you are mixing them yourself, this would be the most complex and time-consuming part of the process and, just like a curry, is the single most important thing. Because you can prepare a large quantity of the spice mix just as easily as you can make a small quantity and because it can be stored, it would be worth the effort of making your own if you like paella and intend to cook it fairly often. The two most important ingredients are (1) Saffron. This is the most expensive spice in the world - at around $1000 or more per pound, it has often been more expensive than gold! - and is made from the long stamens only of a specific variety of crocus. It is worth buying the very best quality saffron and a little goes a very long way. It is said to have excellent medicinal qualities, too, and is, apparently, a good cure for depression. Please note that turmeric, safflower or atsuete/annato are NO SUBSTITUTE for saffron. They are cheaper and give somewhat the same colour but the flavour and, particularly, the aroma are completely different and inferior. (2) Rice. The particular variety is important. It should be a short grain rice but not too glutinous or sticky. The grains should absorb more water than long grain varieties but should remain firm ('al dente') and separate once cooked. A good description of paella and the history and method of cooking (which differs somewhat from the Italian risotto and the more Eastern pilav/plov/pilau) can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paella The next time that you visit Amalia's please do ask if they prepare their paella in the proper Valencian manner! They may be serving you an inferior and different dish (which may still be delicious, of course). It is well worth looking for the proper spices (they can be found ready mixed in packets online) and attempting to make it yourself!

Just this morning I have this urges to eat paella and I was just browsing the web for the recipe. It's a complete and delicious meal.

I love paella, that is one of my favorite dishes. But like you said it is complicated to make, so normally when we eat it is out at a restaurant. However in our office, we have had a company come out and make it for us. They normally make right outside our office and it is to die for. What more can you ask for, you order it and they come right to your door and make at your convenience and liking. We haven't had it done in a while, but we were thinking about it for this years upcoming holidays.

oh i love to eat paella too. i have diff. versions of paella that i can share with you taht is easy to cook but really a must to enjoy you can just pm me for any question, here are some,.. seafood paella, paella negra, red paella, tuna paella, and my favorite egg paella. i know there are a lot of paella version online but mine is easier and affordable and less ingredient and that long to cook.

I love to eat paella too before but now that I fear of my blood pressure in eating seafoods, I don't eat paella much. I am very eager to cook it however I don't have the recipe but reading your post it somehow give me an idea. Is the ingredients to be sauteed first?, together with the chicken and the seafoods. Then water and when boiled put the malagkit or sticky rice, atsuete and other seasonings. This could be paella already when cooked. Hmmm will try

My sister in law cooks Paella and I like it because it is really delicious. I can't imagine myself cooking that because it is time consuming and probably I would ask other people's help. What if it happens that they are busy as well? Again I am not interested to cook it but just to eat that.