There are numerous Valencia recipes that provide diners with an exquisite Mediterranean experience. The traditional recipes of Valencia are made from fresh vegetables, fruits, meat and fish. Oil and spices play a predominant role in the preparation of the famous Valencia cuisine, also known as the “Mediterranean Diet”. The plethora of rice preparations, sumptuous desserts and traditional drinks are a delight to the diners’ palate. Wine and cocktails, also constitute an important part in Valencia recipes.
Valencia Rice Preparations
Valencia is renowned for its rice preparations. Rice is cooked in a deep cooking pot or earthenware vessel. For dry rice, an earthen vessel is preferred. The most famous of all rice dishes, the ‘Paella Valencia’, is cooked in the paella pan or shallow pan. This dish is served on religious festivals and other special occasions. The other delectable rice dishes are ‘Arroz en Perdiu’, ‘Rossjat’, ‘Arroz al Forn’, which is baked in the oven, ‘Arroz Con Costar’ served with crust of egg, and ‘Arroz a Banda’ served with fish.
Fish and Meat preparations
Diners revel in the myriads of sumptuous meat preparations. Lamb roast is a special delicacy. Chicken is usually served with paella, while rabbit and duck are served with rice. Beef preparations and ox meat are usually served during festivals and ceremonies.
Fish forms an integral part of Valencia recipe. A vast variety of fish are available in Valencia, due to its
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proximity to the sea. These include the anglerfish, sea bass, flounder, red mullet, conger, hake, sea bass, whiting, anchovy and sea bream. The fish items are fried, cooked in a stew, baked, or served with orange sauce, almond and onion. “Salazon” is a favorite among the diners. There are also other salt fish preparations.
Stews
Stews are an integral part of Valencia recipe. Stews are generally made from pulses and meat. These are known as ‘ollas’. The ‘olla de la plana’ is prepared with beans, fresh vegetables and saffron. Potatoes and pork are essential ingredients for making the ‘la olla recapte’. The other vegetable stews include ‘olla de cardet’, made from thistles, ‘alacant’ made from lentils, the ‘olica de verdures’ and the ‘giraboix’ made from cod, beans and potatoes.
Desserts
‘Turrones’, made from almonds, are a delight to the taste buds. ‘Arnadi’, served during Easter, is made from pumpkin and sweet potato. Another specialty is the drink made from tiger nut milk.
Wines
A whole range of premium cocktails, are an integral part of Valencia recipe. Some of these are the mandarin, alize cocktail, Canada dream, Rainbow Sour and Princess Pousse Café.
Valencia recipes are a testimony to the rich culinary expertise of the city.
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