Since my resident paella pan serves 10-12 people, I made the requisite trip to The Spanish Table in Mill Valley to get a smaller paella pan. Seasoning a new paella pan is necessary if yours isn’t a non-stick kind. We’re going for the authentic paella anyhow, so we might as well learn to care for the traditional polished steel version.
Before we get further along, muchisimas gracias to my friend Junia, who is growing more dear to me by the day. She organized this fabulous Blog Hop, and this time we have Rice Love!
Let me take you on a virtual trip to La Mancha to get saffron, one of the world’s most valuable products, with a price which could sometimes be higher than of gold. La Mancha may be a harsh region lying in the heart of Spain, but the high plateau can offer some special surprises. The plain is sometimes scorched by drought and burning sunshine, and sometimes tormented by icy wind.
Around my birthday, on the last Sunday of October is a perfect time to visit La Mancha, when summer has passed and winter is still far away. The “Saffron Rose Festival” is the highpoint of the year in Consuegra. At the foot of the white windmills against which Don Quixote once battled, the farmers celebrate with music and dancing, and choose the most captivating beauty to be crowned Dulcinea de La Mancha in honor of the beloved Don Quixote.
Below is one of the eleven (11) windmills that stand on a ridge above the town of Consuegra overlooking the plains of La Mancha.
By car, La Mancha lies a little over two (2) hours south of Madrid. To cut the drive in half, may a suggest a day trip to Toledo before proceeding southeast to Campo de Criptana.
How to Season a Paella Pan – Oven Method
- Preheat the oven to 350F. Wash and dry the paella pan before seasoning.
- Apply a thick layer of cooking oil to both the inside and outside surfaces of the paella pan.
- Place the pan in the oven and cook for 30 to 35 minutes or until the pan has a golden color.
- Remove the paella pan from the oven, using potholders, and allow it to cool before using.
Please do not forget to visit the following blogs!
- Baker Street
- Bloc de Recetas
- Bon a Croquer
- Cafe Terra Blog
- Chef Pandita
- Elephant Eats
- Food Wanderings
- Hobby and More
- Mike’s Baking
- Mis Pensamientos
- Simply Reem
- The Daily Palette
- The Professional Palate
- The Queen’s Notebook
- The Spicy RD
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