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Paella Valenciana

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    Paella Valenciana

    There is a tradition in Valencia, Sunday is paella day. And in a bunch of homes paella is prepared by men. I learned this recipe from my mother and it has no innovation at all: this is the only and authentic paella from Valencia.

    Ingredients (for 4 people):

    - 400 g (14 oz) Short-grain white rice (called arroz bomba)
    - Chicken broth (four parts per one of rice, is better to have five parts ready)
    - Crushed threads of saffron (1 tsp)
    - 1/2 rabbit cut into pieces
    - 1/2 chicken cut into pieces
    - Spanish extra-virgin olive oil
    - 2 grated tomatoes
    - 2 tsp. smoked paprika powder
    - 1 pound flat green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces
    - 1 pound lima beans (called garrofon)
    - 1/2 pound of white beans (called tabella)

    Please no peas, no chorizo, no seafood, no pepper. This is a Valencian style paella, you can do paellas almost of anything. But today is Valencian paella.

    The pan is called paella too. This is 41 cm or 16 inches:




    Season chicken and rabbit with salt. If you don’t like rabbit you can use chicken instead, no problem.




    Heat oil in a paella pan:




    Add chicken and rabbit and cook, turning often, until golden brown.




    As you can see there are two kinds of beans, the big ones are called ‘garrofon’.




    Saffron is better slightly toasted, but it burns easily. So, I like to use aluminium foil and place it on top of the lid for a few minutes.




    Meat should be golden brown after 5 minutes




    As lima beans take long to soften, I prefer to put them to cook a little bit earlier.




    Add white beans when lima beans are mid-cooked




    When beans are soft, add 2 tsp. of smoked paprika power and then the grated tomato. Don’t let the paprika burn or it will ruin your paella.




    Cook the tomato




    Last edited by rafelo; July 13, 2016, 12:18 PM. Reason: Pan size

    #2
    Add the rice with the saffron and stir




    Add now chicken broth, about 80% and reserve the rest for now. Four parts of broth for one of rice.




    Rise the fire, now it is time for direct method. First 10 minutes it has to boil strongly and slower for the rest.







    When your broth is boiling add rice and then count 15-20 minutes until rice is done. Your broth will be absorbed by the rice.




    If your fire is too hot or you have less broth your rice will not cook properly, so have the 20% broth reserved previously and add it if necessary. Do not add water. Do not stir.




    Rice has to be dry, or almost. When our paella is done, the broth is consumed and your rice is al dente, put out the fire and let it sit for 5 minutes. While it sits you can add some fresh rosemary




    Rice has to be dry, or almost. When broth is gone and your rice is al dente, put out the fire and let it sit for 5 minutes.




    If you like the burnt rice of the bottom, called socarrat, you can place the pan directly over the burning coal for a minute.




    If your rice is molto al dente you can cover the paella with aluminium foil. People here in Valencia prefer rice al dente.

    If you want to be more authentic, the tradition is that people eat directly from the paella using wooden spoons.




    Black, burnt rice, is called socarrat and is delicious.


    My wife and me hope you enjoyed this recipe. Feel free to ask any questions.

    Comment


    • gcdmd
      gcdmd commented
      Editing a comment
      The socarrat is also prized in Japanese cooked rice.

    • Meathead
      Meathead commented
      Editing a comment
      And in Korean bibimbop

    #3
    Where do you live? And where do you get your rabbit?

    Comment


      #4
      I live in Valencia, Spain. So rabbit is not a problem. You can use chicken instead. Duck is so strong for my taste.

      Comment


      • gcdmd
        gcdmd commented
        Editing a comment
        Would pork be a suitable substitute? Also, I have heard of snails being used; is that not authentic?

        Thank you for your contribution. Bienvenido.

      #5
      Welcome rafelo! That sounds delicious, and I will have to try it.

      Comment


        #6
        gcdmd There is people who add some pork ribs, as well as red peppers (pimiento), but not in Valencia. Maybe in near towns like Castellon, but not here.

        I don't like them very much, but you're right, an authentic valencian paella has snails.

        Comment


        • gcdmd
          gcdmd commented
          Editing a comment
          Thank you, rafelo . What size pan are you using? Is your rice to broth ratio by weight?

        #7
        rafelo - that is a beautiful paella! Thanks for posting. Kudos to ya!

        Comment


          #8
          Great write up and pics, thanks!

          Comment


          • rafelo
            rafelo commented
            Editing a comment
            My wife lived for a year in Philadelphia, and lend me a hand with my (poor) english.

          #9
          gcdmd Will measure my paella and post here. Rice/broth ratio by volume.

          Comment


            #10
            Great post.
            I assume, if I don't worry about being authentic Valencia, I can freestyle the proteins, and add some chorizo, pork belly, rib tips, or duck, keep tasting and adjusting, and use the basic technique. Sure, I couldn't pass it as Valencia, but seems like a solid process that could take whatever regional variations you want to add.

            Comment


              #11
              Originally posted by Potkettleblack View Post
              Great post.
              I assume, if I don't worry about being authentic Valencia, I can freestyle the proteins, and add some chorizo, pork belly, rib tips, or duck, keep tasting and adjusting, and use the basic technique. Sure, I couldn't pass it as Valencia, but seems like a solid process that could take whatever regional variations you want to add.
              You are right. For example, another kind of rice recipe here is "cod rice" which is done in the same pan (paella) with cod, potatoes and spinachs. Or "arroz de senyoret" which is with fish and seafood.

              We don't call this kind of rice "paella", but the technique is the same, like you said.

              Comment


              • Potkettleblack
                Potkettleblack commented
                Editing a comment
                When I have anything like this, paella or chaufa, I live for the socarrat. I had a chaufa aeropuerto at this great peruvian restaurant here in Chicago, and there was no burnt part like there was the first time I had it, and I was crushed. And the dish was a lot less great.

                Thanks for the process.

              #12
              Looks wonderful!

              Comment


                #13
                Hey rafelo, you call for 14oz (by weight) of the rice. And 4 times that much broth. Is the broth 4 times the rice by weight or volume? thnx!

                Comment


                • Stevo
                  Stevo commented
                  Editing a comment
                  never mind, i see you already answered this!

                #14
                Originally posted by Stevo View Post
                Hey rafelo, you call for 14oz (by weight) of the rice. And 4 times that much broth. Is the broth 4 times the rice by weight or volume? thnx!
                Volume, use a measuring cup. And keep extra broth to add in case of heavy evaporation. Total time boiling between 15 and 20 minutes (I prefer 18).

                Comment


                  #15
                  Way cool rafelo! I really have to try this. Gracias!

                  Is there something that can replace the saffron? My wife does'nt even know if we can buy that much here. Plus, I do know it is super expensive here in the states.
                  Last edited by FireMan; July 13, 2016, 10:51 AM.

                  Comment

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