The Recycled Cook

Paella This dish is hugely popular all over Spain as many who have visited the country will know and have enjoyed eating it, but it originates in the province of Valencia from where it gets its name; "Paella" is Valencian for frying pan, the distinctive twin handled pans that are immediately associated with this dish. Paella comes in many varieties, traditionally using rabbit or chicken, shellfish and fresh vegetables, so it is a perfect dish for making using leftovers from the fridge or freezer. I have used a traditional paella pan but a large frying pan, wok or saucepan will do perfectly well If like me you throw out very little food then, with a little imagination, you can make a delicious and authentic homemade Paella. Start off by chopping some onions, red onions work well but whatever you have available, white onions shallots and spring onions all work fine, you could even add some leeks and of course garlic is a must. Add a generous splash of olive oil ...

The Recycled Cook By Adrian Sleeman Rice, the world's number one staple This is without doubt the  most widely consumed  staple food  for a large part of the world's human population, especially in South East Asia.  Rice  is the  seed  of the  grass  species  Oryza sativa  (Asian rice) or  Oryza glaberrima   (African rice).  Rice was first domesticated by the Chinese over 10,000  years ago    in the  Pearl River  valley region of  China .   From East Asia, rice as a food staple spread to South East and Southern Asia.  Rice was eventually  introduced to Europe through India, and to the Americas through European colonisation.  Growing up in wales for me rice was usually served as a milky pudding with a lovely skin on top but over the years and with much travel I have learned that rice is probably the most versatile staple in the world. We are now of course ...