How to use the Paella Method of Cooking

International chefs use the paella method of cooking by picking out certain spices and herbs from a certain region, choose the highest quality of ingredients, use the sauté cooking method and apply a special twist to make the dish their very own.

What is the paella method of cooking?
1. Make sure your pan is hot.
2. Use a good olive oil
3. Sauté your protein
4. Add raw rice
5. Use a flavorful liquid
6. Add vegetables
7. Simmer (20 minutes)
8. Add your twist

Remember if you are adding herbs you need to add them late in the cooking process, spices are added early.

So what is the twist?

It's the ability to change a recipe that you make again and again and change it into a meal from another country, just by changing the protein, rice and/or the spices.

For example: my favorite Italian paella recipe I use chicken with garlic, oregano and basil, but it's important to use an Italian rice like Carnaroli or Maratelli. To twist it up, switch out the Italian rice for Spanish rice, shrimp instead of chicken and paprika, saffron and cayenne pepper for this Spanish paella dish. Making sure you pick an authentic item for your dish whether it's the meat, rice and/or seasonings (even the oil from olive to sesame for an Asian paella dish) for that special twist to make it your own.






Here are some spice teams for different regions: