FOODOGRAPHY: Paella (conversation topic)

For an occasion, I decided to put my paellera to use again. This dish was a topic of an interesting conversation. It was one of those exchanges that I would have wanted to go on and on, one that took on twists and turns and still remained sane. There are people that we connect with that challenge the mind but warm the heart. Those little encounters that I wish I could freeze, fold gently and take with me wherever.

 

And with the topic of paella, it was a discussion of whether it is right or wrong for some cultures to opt for rabbit meat and aren't rabbits supposed to be pets. Or that there is such a thing as Portuguese and Spanish versions. As trivial as that topic was, there was joy in the connection of being able to talk about anything under the sun and nurture a bond that has survived the best and worst of characters, the impossibilities of situations, the shallow and the profound.

 

There is a variety of versions of paella and for this mutation, the ingredients are:

 

3 cups rice

3 cups chicken stock

4 tbsp Olive oil

pinch of saffron

salt

pepper

onion

garlic

 

1/4 kilo pork meat

1/2 kilo chicken cuts

shells

crabs

squid

shrimps

green peas

bell pepper

 

Pour about 2 tbsp of olive oil on a paellera. Stir in garlic and rice. Allow the oil to coat the rice and let stay for about 3 minutes. Put in saffron, salt & pepper and allow to cook for another 3 minutes. Pour in chicken stock and let simmer to cook the rice.

 

In another pan, put in 2 tbsp olive oil then saute the onion. Put in the chicken and pork and allow to cook. Add the green peas and bell pepper followed by the shells, shrimps and crabs. Let simmer until all ingredients are cook.

 

Put the rice on a serving plate and top with seafood and meat mixture.

 

Life musings:

 

Sometimes the difference comes from not giving up. Many attempts may fail but it is the willingess to try again that would eventually lead to a breakthrough, a new perspective of a situation and a more peaceful result. And it takes consistency of forgiveness, of openness and the constancy of little gestures to keep the peace. And when it is time to let go, it is letting go with peace.