Buen provecho

Just two summers ago we were eating award-winning paella at a horse show in Provence. This summer we’re still enjoying paella, but in the less exotic setting of our back yard deck.

Our neighbors who travel extensively just returned from a trip to Spain. A small jar of prize saffron bought on their trip served as the catalyst for tonight’s Spanish menu.

Our families have a long history of cooking and eating together. So once again, my friend made the cold salmorejo soup, a tomato based soup that also contains onion, garlic, and bread.



She also showed up to help cook the paella, a dish always worth the expense and effort to assemble it. The first steps of frying bacon, chicken, onions, and garlic seem to take forever. But then it’s fun to watch the rice turn yellow as the saffron is added and poke various shellfish into every crevice.

We sat out back eating for what seemed like hours, with our now adult children able to enjoy the red and white wine we shared. We polished off a Martha Stewart blueberry crisp just as the final light was disappearing from the sky.

When you can’t go to Europe on vacation, the next best thing is bringing the tastes of Europe here!