Hello everyone! Today we're talking about Spain's national dish, Paella. It originated in Valencia , a large city on the Mediterranean Sea and one of Spain's top rice-producing regions, hence its name.
"Paella" is a Valencian word meaning "pan," referring to the pan used as the cooking vessel. This dish has been adapted over time to suit different regions and preferences.
In this picture, I had the opportunity to see a Spanish chef friend make it. When I found out he was going to cook this dish, I rushed to watch because it's one of my favorites. Today, it was chicken paella. Notice the large pan!
When I arrived, I saw chicken on the pan with various spices being sautéed. Once the spices were well combined, water was added over medium heat.
The water was brought to a boil and the chicken was cooked through. During this process, it was stirred constantly to prevent burning. Another important point is that the pan must be level; it shouldn't tilt to one side.
Once the chicken was cooked, the rice (small-grain rice) was added. The rice was spread from the center outwards.
Then, continue simmering until cooked through. During this time, gently move the pan, as it's a large pan, to help mix the ingredients evenly; don't stir with a ladle.
Then, wait about 30 minutes, keeping an eye on the heat. Keep it low, covering the entire pan with the broth. Observe as the broth is absorbed into the rice, and the pan will begin to dry out.
Everything will gradually cook, then reduce the heat to low. It looks incredibly appetizing! Ready to serve. This chicken paella, the national dish of Spain, was another amazing experience. I even asked my friends about the cooking methods and techniques. Maybe I'll try making it myself someday. I hope everyone enjoys it. Thank you for following and have a great day!