Paella in Valencia, SPAIN
Airing Date: Jun 27th, 2005
Valencia is Spain's third largest city after Madrid and Barcelona. Famous for its oranges, Valencia is also well known for the traditional Spanish dish, paella. To try the best paella you must visit one of the most famous restaurants in Valencia, La Pepica. Here the same family have been making paella for 106 years.
Today, the grandchildren of the restaurant's founders are serving La Pepica's patrons, using traditional, handed-down methods.
Paella is a rice dish originally from Valencia where it is eaten especially on Sundays and during the Fallies (a Valencian tradition which celebrates Saint Joseph's Day).
There are many variations of paella all with different ingredients. The name paella actually refers to the large, shallow, two handled pan the dish is cooked in and not the dish itself, although it's now synonymous with the famous food. A seafood paella includes lobster, tuna fish or whatever is on the market for that particular day. Traditionally Valencia's paella is made with rabbit or chicken. First the meat, and then the vegetables are stir fried in olive oil. Boiling water is then added to the paella pan, and after boiling for several minutes, the rice is added. The rice is the Arborio rice used in risotto.
Saffron, olive oil and lots of garlic is essential to give the paella the right flavour. Once the paella has cooked in the pan and has had a few minutes to sit and saut it goes in the oven to grill the top. Once the rice is nearly done, the paella is removed from the heat and left to absorb the remaining water. The paella is ready to be served after having cooled for several minutes.
Further Information:
Flights:
Thai International & DriveAway Holidays offer fly/drive packages to Madrid from:
$1999 ex Perth
$2097 ex Melbourne
$2099 ex Sydney
$2099 ex Brisbane.
Includes taxes. Subject to exchange rates. Conditions apply. DriveAway Holidays Ph: 1300 363 500
Accomodation
For somewhere to stay in Valencia rooms at the Expo Hotel start from $85 a double Expo Hotel Ph: 0011 963 033 600
Prices correct at 27/06/05
