Spain – Paela De Marisco

by Umer Butt

ABOUT THE DISH

PAELA is a word that means “FRYING PAN”. PAELA DE MARISCO is a dish which came into being in the area of Valencia in Spain from there on this dish got love from the people and became famous in all parts of Spain. This dish is made by combining seafood along with beans and vegetables of your choice in rice which is then cooked in a broth. The broth adds such a beautiful flavor to the dish and it tastes amazing. This dish can be made through variety of ways. We can add meat and other types of protein instead of seafood to make it more rich of flavors. This dish is very famous and is considered to be the prize dish of Spain. The families love it and they make for get togethers and other festive occasions.

HISTORY/ORIGIN

In the 10th Century the production of rice in Spain was starting to increase more and more and people in that times usually add fish in the rice to make a dish. As the time passed this became a custom of the people and they also started to add vegetables with the fish and the rice to make different dishes and this became a gathering feast among the families. In the earlier times fish was the essential part of this dish but later different varieties were introduced as people tried to experiment with the dish to make it more interesting.

MEANING OF THE NAME

As mentioned before Paela means Frying Pan and De Marisco means Seafood. This dish was named this because by tradition it is made in a Frying Pan with two handles. Each and every product is fried and cooked inside this pan and it is served with it also.

WHAT THE DISH SYMBOLIZES

A Spanish food historian said about this dish that this dish ” symbolizes the union and heritage of two important cultures, the first one Romans which gave us the utensil and the second Arabs which brought the basic food of humanity to all parts of the world.

NATIONAL DISH

Among the people of Spain this dish has so much value and is one of the best dishes to eat and because of this and its historical values it is considered to be the national dish of Spain. Every individual takes pride in saying that it is the best and is recommended at every place there

INGREDIENTS TO MAKE IT

• Arborio rice(300 g) 1 ½ cups
• Shrimp (225 g) ½ lb.
• Mussels ½ lb. 
• Chicken stock 3 cups
• Chorizo (205 g) 1 ½ cups
• Kosher salt 2 teaspoons
• Onion 1
• Tomato (diced) 14 ½
• Minced garlic 3 cloves
• Saffron thread
• Paprika 1 teaspoon
• Black pepper ½ teaspoon
• Lemon juice ½ 
• Frozen peas ½ cup 
• Parsley ¼ cup 

HOW TO PREPARE IT

• Take the chicken stock in a bowl and add saffron threads in it and put it aside for later use

• Now season the shrimps with 1 teaspoon of salt and the pepper on both sides.

• Pour some olive oil on the Paella and let it heat. Add the chorizo and the onions and let them cook.

• After this add garlic and paprika in the pan and stir until cooked.
• Add the rice and stir again.

• Add the tomatoes and chicken stock(made earlier with saffron) and stir to combine.

• Add the shrimp, mussels, and peas on top of the rice and wait until they are cooked

• Pour the lemon juice over the paella in the end.
• Sprinkle salt and the parsley on the dish and serve.
• FINAL RESULT

TIME REQUIRED FOR COOKING

• PREPERATION TIME: 15 minutes
• COOKING TIME : 50-55 minutes
• TOTAL TIME : 1 hour 10 minutes
• YIELD : 6-7 servings

HEALTHY OR NOT ?

The seafood Paella is very healthy for a person as seafood doesn’t have much fatness like other protein and with the addition of vegetables in this dish it makes more light and rich with good stuff to help people maintain their health.

NUTRITION LIST

• Calories 1150
• Protein 34g
• Fat 68g
• Sugar 16g
• Carbs 97g
• Fiber 5g

MY OPINION

As other dishes go the PAELA DE MARISCO is the one to have because of its history and taste. This dish is made special by the different flavors working together so nicely and giving a person an incredible experience with its food. It can easily made at home and can be served to an entire sitting and if you ever visit Valencia have a taste of it there because that original feeling of this dish would be only one in the world.