When you’re on vacation in Barcelona, you can’t afford to miss out on one of the region’s most famous dishes: paella. Paella is widely considered to be a Spanish staple, but what exactly is it, and why does Catalan paella always seem to taste just a little bit better? Here’s everything you need to know about paella!

What is Paella?

When you’re on holiday in Spain, you’ll find many restaurants offering classic Spanish paella. A typical recipe includes white rice, beans, vegetables, meat or seafood, and a range of herbs and spices. There are different varieties, including the ‘original’ Valencian recipe with snails, and vegetarian recipes, but some say that the Catalan way is the best. So what do the Catalans do differently?

Catalan Paella

While on a Barcelona holiday, you may notice that your restaurant paella is a little different (and many would say better!) than paella you’ve tasted in other parts of Spain. Catalan paella is made with the same traditional ingredients, but the method is slightly different than that of other regions. In Catalonia, the trend is to avoid mixing the paella once the rice has been added to the pot, leaving everything to relax and soak up the rich, bold flavours.

Self Catering

If you’ve decided to stay in a self-catering Catalonia villa rental, then why not try whipping up a Catalan paella on your own? Give yourself plenty of time, as a good paella can’t be rushed, and remember to pair the dish with a local Catalan wine. Paella also tastes better when it’s eaten in a magnificent location, so bring your dishes out and enjoy them by the pool at your luxury Barcelona villa.

Save

Save

Save