Granddaughter E is 18. I invited her over to make paella. Cooking is a way to spend time alone with her; a way to lure this great beauty over and have her company all to ourselves.
Yes, we have a paella pan. No, we're not sticklers for tradition. We're Americans, for crying out loud. We live in small town USA, a gastronomical wasteland that would have us exist on fries, hamburgers, and pizza, with an occasional side of coleslaw. We could shop in Orlando, but who wants to drive that far? We make do with what we find at our small Publix.
I did order saffron and real-for-real paella rice online. We had clams (the only ones at the store still in their shells), shrimp, sausage, and chicken. I confess we used deboned chicken breasts. I know, I know, it should be actual chicken pieces. Most in my family only want white meat, and do NOT want to work hard to eat it.
E made it, with me hovering nearby. I forced myself to turn away, bellowing "tips" and encouragement, helping her read the recipe, things like that (!). You should have seen her chopping garlic. The kid's a natural.
She took finishing the top as a creative challenge. In her world, paella has a face. Peas are served separately so those who hate peas avoid them, and those who love peas sprinkle them over the top.
One family member has a shrimp allergy, so Grandpa cooked shrimp separately, too. Like I said, we make do.
Nice job, my luv!
Just before it went into the oven.
Beautifully done in all ways, the cooking and the artistry. Sounds like a wonderful way to spend time with your granddaughter.
ReplyDeleteIt was. I like that she's interested in learning to cook.
DeleteThat looks lovely. And what a nice way to spend time with your granddaughter.
ReplyDeleteThanks. It works well, cooking and baking.
DeleteYummmm! Now I'm hungry for paella.
ReplyDeleteAnd I love colorful food. Yaaaayyy to Granddaughter E for how she topped the paella and to you for the inspiration!
Make it! You don't really need a paella pan. A shallow baking pan will do. I was so proud of her for the creative way she decorated the top.
DeleteLooks yummy! Good job to both of you for catering to everyone's dietary preferences! Not always easy when you're making a traditional dish.
ReplyDeleteIt was quite good, a very satisfying experience for all of us.
DeleteThat's a beautiful dish!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks, Joanne.
DeleteIf I had a granddaughter E, I would stand on my head if necessary to spend time together. That being said, I'm glad all you had to do was let go a little and hover. And look! You got time with someone special AND a beautiful dish. Win/Win.
ReplyDeleteVery much a win/win.
DeleteWell done! That looks yummy and you got to make a happy memory with your granddaughter! Win-Win!
ReplyDeleteThanks. Absolutely a win/win.
DeleteLooks yummy! I love paella, especially since a cook in Spain explained to us that the crunchy burnt bits at the bottom of the pan are the best (and they are).
ReplyDeleteOur paella is cooked without decoration, in a deeper pan (Correction - a Pyrex bowl) than yours, and subsequently dug out in anonymous blobs with a large spoon. Presentation score is zilch. I think I was put off decoration during the War when I launched into a trifle over which edible ball-bearings had been scattered, only to find out they were only just edible, almost as hard as stainless steel and about as tasty. One had to be careful then - imperfect teeth were not filled, just yanked out. Also one never complained, since the response was "Don't you know there's a war on?"
ReplyDeleteWow (trifle). Wow (yanking out teeth).
DeleteI've never had it. It looks and sounds delicious.
ReplyDeleteGreat memory making event.