Photo Diary: Cooking Paella in Sueca Valencia
Have you ever wanted to travel to Spain? No, not just Barcelona or Madrid, but a smaller town where you can really get to know the culture and the people? Valencia is one such city. And while there, you must try their paella! Paella is a Valencian rice dish made with seafood, meat or vegetables. Sueca is a town in Valencia famous for its paella. In this blog post, I'll share with you my day in Sueca, where I learned how to cook paella like a local in Sueca. Trust me, it's easier than you think! So pack your bags and let's go explore Valencia together!
The best way to dive into Spanish culture is to spend a day cooking in a huerto (orchard), making one of the most well-known Spanish dishes, Paella. A day with Mi Paella En El Huerto is one experience that is an initiative that will make you part of this Spanish tradition.
Anyone who wants to visit Valencia cannot miss the opportunity to try one of its most authentic and famous dishes: paella. The story goes that paella was born in the area of Sueca (Valencia), where the best rice was cultivated. Mi Paella en el Huerto is located right in this town, precisely in Riola, 30 minutes from Valencia, surrounded by authentic Valencian nature.
But don’t expect seafood in the Paella Valenciana. Born among the orchards, gardens, and groves around Valencia, the original paella brings on ingredients from the fields rather than the sea. Rabbit, chicken, and a few types of local beans form the heart of this rustic dish.
The experience of Mi Paella En El Huerto greets small groups of friends, tourists, colleagues, and families. In true Spanish form, our group I cooked along with another couple from Canada, intentionally booking this experience on a Sunday. It was a small and intimate experience, which made it that much more enjoyable, as opposed to it being a big group.
The day is not just about learning how to cook paella but also to enjoy all that comes with it. Enjoy spectacular views, explore ecological crops, and fall in love with the Valencian culture and culinary arts.
How does a paella day work? There are many hidden secrets, but I can assure you that the chef will not miss any detail for you to discover, little by little, the rituals and curiosities that you can experience during this day.
Like most Sundays in many cultures around the world, it’s a day about spending time with family and those close to you. First, it begins with the preparation of the paella; while you’re cooking, you can take a break with an aperitif made of local products. Once the paella is ready, it’s time to enjoy the work you have done together accompanied by delicious house wine. And, finally, the dessert. The Valencian coca de llanda is a cake with mixed fruits accompanied by a sweet liquor, the Mistela.
Paella is a popular dish in Valencia, and there are many ways to make it. We’ve shown you how to make a traditional paella Valenciana, but if you want to try something different, we’ve got some other recipes for you to check out. And if you decide to make paella yourself, be sure to share your photos with us on social media! We can’t wait to see them. Want the recipe? Check out the step-by-step recipe here.
If you are interested in learning how to make paella without visiting Spain, be sure to check out the step-by-step recipe here on how to make paella.
This article was originally published in September 2017 and updated March 2022.
