Wednesday, June 01, 2011

A truly "paella valenciana" in deep UK


Once I heard a Portuguese intellectual claiming that it is easier to witness the most deeply-root culture of certain region precisely far away from that region! This statement is obviously arguable but I do not think that by saying this he was totally wrong. For example, the first 'flamenco' performance I attended to happened in Leiden, a little town of Holland more than 2000 km further away from the flamenco birthplace in South Spain! After many years in Spain I never saw a 'flamenco' concert!

In his speech the Portuguese gentlemen also included 'gastronomy' as part of that culture. Well, 'said and done' a group of 50 people had the privilege to taste a pure authentic and traditional 'paella valenciana' in the backyard of a brit house lost in the landscape of Reading, a town stuck between big brother London and historic Oxford.



The 'chicken' beginning...

I was happy to see the multi-purpose of this evening: a great paella tasting evening, a lesson about what a paella is (forget about fish, chorizo and other paella crimes), a wonderful bath of friends at difficult times, rich and emotional chats, the feeling that good friends were around... A pleasure!

To be continued...



Safety measures are always important!

Wow, that starts to smell good...!


Of course, accompanied by an authentic tortilla española


The sangría perfecta made by our sangria officer!

Part of the organizing team

Getting better and better, with batxocó and garrofó

Boiling as in mother Valencia

Mmmhh, the rice doesn't seem to good for this...

The party goes on!

Some rain and cold to remember where we are :-)



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