The Best Paellas to Enjoy by the Sea

Authentic Spanish Paella

When having a Paella in Spain, authenticity is absolutely key! Although many would argue that the most authentic paella comes from Valencia, we would say that's nonsense and that you can get authentic tasting paella anywhere in Spain, especially here in Costa del Sol!

Perhaps the most important thing about a paella dish is the rice. Traditional Spanish paella recipes normally use arroz bomba, a short grain rice which is known for its absorbency and non-stick qualities, making it perfect for Paella.

Once you have the rice sorted, it's time to think about what else goes into a paella. A typical paella will be mixed with a range of ingredients including saffron, broth, tomatoes, sofrito, beans, artichoke, peas along with some type of meat. Believe it or not the type of olive oil used is also important, ideally you'd want your paella to be cooked in a high quality Spanish olive oil to get that authentic taste.

An authentic paella will be prepared in a "paellera" (a special pan for making paella) and will feature a socarrat (or a crispy bottom in English).

Types of Paella

Now that we know what exactly goes into making a traditional paella, let's take a look at some more modern types of paella you can enjoy while you are on the beach.

• Chicken Paella: Chicken Paella remains very popular throughout Spain. Although it may be considered sacrilege in certain parts of Spain, you can sometimes even find other types of meat like beef or pork in what they call a "mixed paella".
• Seafood Paella: A seafood paella will typically include calamari, prawns and mussels amongst other fishy ingredients. Although not a part of the original paella recipes, seafood paella has become one of the most popular forms of the dish and what better place to enjoy it than by the beach!
• Vegetarian Paella: Just because you are a vegetarian, doesn't mean that you have to miss out on all the paella fun! Veggie paellas normally include ingredients like chickpeas, mushrooms and tomatoes.
• Fusion Paella: Paella purists will tell you that you shouldn't mix any of these different styles together. We, on the other hand, think that paella fusion is a wonderful thing and tastes delicious!

There are so many different variations of paella and other Spanish rice dishes, sometimes it’s difficult to keep track of them all!

Rice Dishes at the Beach Club Higuerón

During your stay at The Beach Club Higuerón why not enjoy one of our fusion rice dishes. At our beachside restaurant you can order one of our three trademark rice dishes:

Mediterranean Rice

Made using rockfish stock and topped with cuttlefish, grilled prawns, fresh ali-oli and served with fresh mint and parsley. This dish really encapsulates the taste of the Mediterranean.

Iberian Rice From Guijuelo

For a rice dish that's more typical from inland Spain, try this Iberian Rice which comes from the Designation of Origin (DO) of Guijuelo. This rice dish is flavored with stock and topped with iberian pork and mayonnaise.

Rice With Seasonal Mushrooms and Vegetables

Vegetarians and vegans will love this rice which is made with vegetable stock, seasonal mushrooms, grilled veggies and mayonnaise.

Each of these dishes comes in two sizes, Large for 1-2 people and Extra Large for 3-4 people.

For even more dishes that you can find at The Beach Club Higuerón including grilled items and burgers, take a look at the full menu here.

For more information about The Beach Club Higuerón and how to book, visit our homepage here.