I have a very soft spot for Spanish food. I went to Spain on my honeymoon, so just the mention of ‘Tapas’ is enough to make me smile.

We had so many lovely meals while traveling around Andalucia. The tapas were always my favorite (accompanied by all of those glorious sherries), but we enjoyed some really good Paellas.

I always make something Spanish to celebrate our wedding anniversary. So, yesterday it was Paella. Easy Paella. Very easy. Very flavorful.

Bring this little bit of Spain into your kitchen soon.

Easy Paella

Ingredients:

1 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 tsp each hot smoked paprika and dried thyme
300g (1 3/4 cups) arborio rice
3 tbsp dry sherry or white wine
400g can chopped tomatoes with garlic
900ml chicken stock
400g bag frozen seafood mix (I used 1 lb of shrimp and 1/2 lb of baby clams)
Juice ½ lemon, other half cut into wedges
Handful flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped

Directions:

1. Heat the oil in a large frying pan. Add the onion and soften for 5 minutes. Stir in the paprika, thyme and rice, stir for 1 minute, then splash in the Sherry or wine. Once it has evaporated, stir in the tomatoes and stock.

2. Season and cook, uncovered, for about 15 minutes, stirring now and again until rice is almost tender and still surrounded with some liquid.

3. Stir the frozen seafood into the pan and cover with a lid. Simmer for 5 minutes, or until the shrimp/prawns are cooked through and the rice is tender.

4. Squeeze over the lemon juice, scatter with parsley and serve with extra lemon wedges.

Recipe from BBC Good Food Magazine

I love BullFighting Music. This is probably my favorite bullfighting song.
Don Vincente & His Orchestra-España Cani

Who remembers Charo? She was such an institution on all of the cheesy variety shows that were around when I was growing up back in the late 60s and 1970s.

Who knows what her real name is? María Rosario Pilar Martínez Molina Moquiere de les Esperades Santa Ana Romanguera y de la Najosa Rasten.

Wow. That’s a name.

Okay. Look at me. I am cringing the whole time watching this clip. My parents thought this was brilliant comedy. Yikes.

I will give Charo credit for playing some incredible flamenco guitar. If you can stop yourself from hiding behind your hands while watching this video for España Cani, you will see what I mean. There is a lot of fascinating stuff going on here. Ha!

Cuchi Cuchi!

Oops, I meant Cheers!