Paella is a traditional Spanish dish that is made with rice, saffron, meats, and vegetables. It is typically cooked in a large, shallow pan over an open fire. While there are many variations of paella, the dish is typically made with chicken, shrimp, and chorizo sausage. While paella is a relatively simple dish to make, it can be tricky to get the perfect results without a proper paella pan. Paella pans are large and shallow, with flared sides that help distribute heat evenly. This allows for the perfect crispy layer of rice to form on the bottom of the pan, known as the socarrat. If you love Paella, or are simply looking to branch out and try something new, buying a paella pan is a great way to get started. With a few simple ingredients and your new pan, you can create a delicious and traditional dish that will impress your friends and family.
Why do paella pans make better-tasting paella?
When it comes to cooking paella, the type of pan you use can make all the difference in the world. Paella pans are specifically designed for this dish, and they help to create that perfect crispy layer of rice on the bottom that is so essential to the flavour of paella. Additionally, paella pans are shallower than other types of pans, which allows the ingredients to cook evenly without burning.
What materials are paella pans made from?
The traditional paella pan is made of thin, polished steel. It has a flat bottom and flared sides, which help to distribute the heat evenly and prevent sticking. Some modern paella pans are made of enamelled steel or cast iron. Cast iron paella pans are also good at conducting heat and have the added benefit of being non-reactive, so they won’t affect the flavour of the food.
What size paella pan do I need?
If you love paella, then you need a paella pan. But how large of a paella pan do you need?
The size of the paella pan you need depends on how many people you want to serve. For example, if you want to serve 2-4 people, then a 26cm paella pan is suitable. If you want to serve more than 4 people then we recommend at least a 34cm to 40cm paella pan.
So, what size paella pan should you buy? It all depends on how many people you want to serve. Choose wisely and enjoy your delicious paellas!
Can I use a paella pan for cooking other dishes beyond paella?
Yes! A paella pan can be used for cooking a variety of other dishes beyond paella. For example, you could use it to cook rice, quinoa, couscous, roasted vegetables or even omelettes thanks to their wide bases and narrow sides. The key is to make sure that you choose a recipe that is suitable for the size and shape of your shallow paella pan.
Our Favourite paella pan brands
Garcima Paella Pans
If you're looking for a high-quality paella pan that will last for years, look no further than Garcima Paella Pans. These paella pans are made from heavy-duty carbon steel and have a non-stick coating that makes clean-up a breeze. They offer a variety of sizes to choose from, so you can find the perfect fit for your kitchen.
Pyrolux
For an affordable option, check out Pyrolux's line of paella pans. Made from durable blue steel construction for use on high cooking temperatures and suitable for gas and induction. They also have a non-stick surface, making them easy to clean.
Le Creuset
Le Creuset is renowned for its French-made cast iron casseroles and their cast iron paella pans are no exception to their signature quality and finish. The cast iron construction retains heat which will keep the paella hot in the pan long after being removed from the heat source.
Other cooking accessories to go with your paella pan
- Spatulas
- Tongs
- Oil bottle
- Mortar and pestle
- Graters
- Seafood Tools
- Placemats
- Coasters
- Oven mitt
- Aprons
FAQs
Does a paella pan make a difference?
The short answer is yes! A traditional paella pan is shallow and wide, which allows for even cooking of all the ingredients. The pan also has flared sides, which makes it easy to stir everything together without everything spilling out.
What is the difference between a paella pan and a skillet?
A skillet is a flat-bottomed pan used for cooking on a stovetop. Paella pans are usually made of carbon steel or enamelled steel or with non-stick coating and are purposely made to be quite shallow. Paella pans typically have two handles, while skillets usually have one handle and are a bit deeper especially as they get larger in size, where as paella pans will remain consistently shallow with just an alteration of diameter with larger sized options.
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