My First Paella
After several days in London and Paris it was just a matter of time until my craving for rice kicked in. So even if I was quite anxious (okay, I was VERY anxious) about my solo trip to Barcelona, I looked forward to being in Spain so that I could have a wonderful rice meal. Paella, here I come!
On my first day I spent the whole morning walking to the different Gaudi houses and exploring the interesting principles behind his fascinating architecture. The hustle and bustle of La Rambla took me in but unfortunately the Mercat la Boqueria was closed. That meant I was to explore its culinary delights the next day. But I didn’t leave empty-handed because the streets were lined with really pretty accessories. I took a city tour bus and hopped off at the sight of a stretch of white sandy beach dotted with people. Barceloneta was undoubtedly my kind of place-. I sat by the beach and believe it or not, enjoyed basking in the sun in comfy 15-degree temperature, in my boots and thick coat. =) I was so tempted to dig my toes into the sand if only I hadn’t worn stockings. The girl beside me eating takeout reminded me that I had yet to take my lunch and it was already 2:00P.M. so I strolled along the al fresco restaurants to sample authentic Spanish cuisine for the first time.
The first restaurant I approached I asked the waitress if the paella was good for how many people and she answered by saying, ‘It’s good’. Okay, I think my Spanish flew out of the window due to hunger and I didn’t want to try and cross the language barrier so I moved on. As I walked along I saw this nondescript restaurant and studied the menu outside when their waiter greeted me in English. Ah, it was just music to my ears. I immediately entered and asked which of the tapas he could recommend and he pointed out this item which meant battered baby squid. Anything deep-friend sounds good to me so I had that and of course, I took the chance to get a paella. While waiting I watched these two frail, old women who just received their order. I was immediately alarmed upon seeing this gigantic 15-inch dish filled to the brim with paella! I hoped to God my order was a whole lot smaller than that.
Before my hunger got the best of me my battered baby squid arrived. It looked very promising and I took a whiff as I squeezed a lemon wedge over the dish. As I took a bite, I tasted the sea and the salt was sprinkled over the teeny tiny fried squid was just enough. It was delicious! If only I had someone with me, I would be able to exclaim how fresh the squid tasted. I kept on eating squid after squid after squid until my paella arrived. Fortunately, I didn’t get the humongous dish the old women got; I received a 12-inch pan! Oh. My. Goodness. But since I was so hungry and excited to try this popular dish I wasted no time and dug in. It was just a taste of heaven, especially after days of not eating rice. The rice was al dente, and the ingredients were cooked just right. I ate the rice until my stomach couldn’t take it anymore and then I proceeded to pick out the remaining tender chicken and assortment of fresh seafood (mussels, shrimp, fish, 
squid). Everything was so fresh and it made sense because I was eating by the sea. It was a lovely experience. Not bad for my first Spanish meal…not bad at all.
As I got my bill and paid at the counter the kind waiter chatted me up a bit and asked me where I was from and if I enjoyed my lunch. I responded enthusiastically and rightfully so after that fantastic meal. I headed out the door, ready and full of energy to explore the city once again, looking forward to the great meal I was about to experience next.
After several days in London and Paris it was just a matter of time until my craving for rice kicked in. So even if I was quite anxious (okay, I was VERY anxious) about my solo trip to Barcelona, I looked forward to being in Spain so that I could have a wonderful rice meal. Paella, here I come!
On my first day I spent the whole morning walking to the different Gaudi houses and exploring the interesting principles behind his fascinating architecture. The hustle and bustle of La Rambla took me in but unfortunately the Mercat la Boqueria was closed. That meant I was to explore its culinary delights the next day. But I didn’t leave empty-handed because the streets were lined with really pretty accessories. I took a city tour bus and hopped off at the sight of a stretch of white sandy beach dotted with people. Barceloneta was undoubtedly my kind of place-. I sat by the beach and believe it or not, enjoyed basking in the sun in comfy 15-degree temperature, in my boots and thick coat. =) I was so tempted to dig my toes into the sand if only I hadn’t worn stockings. The girl beside me eating takeout reminded me that I had yet to take my lunch and it was already 2:00P.M. so I strolled along the al fresco restaurants to sample authentic Spanish cuisine for the first time.
The first restaurant I approached I asked the waitress if the paella was good for how many people and she answered by saying, ‘It’s good’. Okay, I think my Spanish flew out of the window due to hunger and I didn’t want to try and cross the language barrier so I moved on. As I walked along I saw this nondescript restaurant and studied the menu outside when their waiter greeted me in English. Ah, it was just music to my ears. I immediately entered and asked which of the tapas he could recommend and he pointed out this item which meant battered baby squid. Anything deep-friend sounds good to me so I had that and of course, I took the chance to get a paella. While waiting I watched these two frail, old women who just received their order. I was immediately alarmed upon seeing this gigantic 15-inch dish filled to the brim with paella! I hoped to God my order was a whole lot smaller than that.
Before my hunger got the best of me my battered baby squid arrived. It looked very promising and I took a whiff as I squeezed a lemon wedge over the dish. As I took a bite, I tasted the sea and the salt was sprinkled over the teeny tiny fried squid was just enough. It was delicious! If only I had someone with me, I would be able to exclaim how fresh the squid tasted. I kept on eating squid after squid after squid until my paella arrived. Fortunately, I didn’t get the humongous dish the old women got; I received a 12-inch pan! Oh. My. Goodness. But since I was so hungry and excited to try this popular dish I wasted no time and dug in. It was just a taste of heaven, especially after days of not eating rice. The rice was al dente, and the ingredients were cooked just right. I ate the rice until my stomach couldn’t take it anymore and then I proceeded to pick out the remaining tender chicken and assortment of fresh seafood (mussels, shrimp, fish, 
squid). Everything was so fresh and it made sense because I was eating by the sea. It was a lovely experience. Not bad for my first Spanish meal…not bad at all.
As I got my bill and paid at the counter the kind waiter chatted me up a bit and asked me where I was from and if I enjoyed my lunch. I responded enthusiastically and rightfully so after that fantastic meal. I headed out the door, ready and full of energy to explore the city once again, looking forward to the great meal I was about to experience next.
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