Without any doubt one of Spain‘s most popular and well-loved culinary delights is Paella. A traditional rice-based dish cooked with seafood, chicken, meat or even vegetables. The most traditional Valencian paella is a mixture of meat, chicken or rabbit (or both), green and white beans and other vegetables, but seafood is also common, where you can find an array of seafood surprises among the flavor. These ingredients are cooked in a large saucepan over an open fire with olive oil and salt. Real Spanish paella, which refer to Valencia-style paella—eastern coastal Spanish city—is an altogether richer, darker, smokier creation, drier than a risotto, and arguably more satisfying than either. Try it at least one time when you travel to Spain.

Make your own:

• A recipe for seafood paella.
• A traditional chicken paella recipe.
• Try a black rice paella using squid ink.