NoyPinoy

Passport & Plate - Paella Kapampangan

Philippines | Tuesday, March 11, 2014 | 5 photos

Ingredients
*1 kilo of glutinous rice
*1/4 kilo of crabs
*1/4 kilo of mussels
*1/4 kilo of small shrimps
*2 medium onions
*2 spoonful of minced ginger
*1 cup of coconut milk
*4 green peppers
*4 boiled eggs
*1/2 cup of diced carrots
*1/2 cup of green peas
*1/2 cup of juiced turmeric
*5 teaspoons of paprika
*3 teaspoons of minced garlic
*banana leaf


Total cost for the recipe is roughly 350 Philippine peso

 

How to prepare this recipe
*Boil the seafood ingredients until cooked.
*Saute the boiled shrimps and set aside
*Saute garlic, onions, and ginger
*Add the glutinous rice together with the boiled crabs, mussels and carrots and green peas. Stir
*Add the coconut milk, turmeric juice, paprika, and two cups of water.
*Cover the pan with banana leaf (in order to locked the steam that will help cook the rice) and let simmer until rice is cooked.
*Placed the cooked paella on the tray
*Placed the sliced boiled eggs, a portion of the boiled shrimps and sliced peppers as toppings.
*Serve with joy and love.

 

The story behind this recipe
Paella Kapampangan is also known as Arroz Valenciana, this is an heirloom recipe from my father's side who is a native of Pampanga province. The people of Pampanga are known to be good cooks and their lively festivals, their delicacies is considered to be one of the most delectable in the Philippines. The reason why the Kapampangans are good cooks can be traced to its historical roots. During the period of Spanish colonization, the province of Pampanga served as one of the ports of Galleon trade, spices were brought in the province influencing the cooking recipes in the province. Being one of the most richest province in the Philippines before, because of the Galleon trade, festivals are lively influencing the mindset of the modern-day Kapampangans that life should be a celebration.

The Paella Kapampangan traces its roots from the Paella of Spain, however, there are some modifications of the original recipe due to the availability of ingredients on a certain area. According to my father, the recipe is centuries old since it was passed down by the past generations of my father's clan until this present. The Paella Kapampangan is a special cuisine that is cooked when there should be a celebration like barrio festivals, Christmas, and New Year.

I must say that I should be proud that I inherit the centuries old recipe of Kapampangan cuisine.