Cooking in Spain: Andalusian Paella

Esteban Ferrón is the founder of Marbella Trips and Marbella Gastronomy. He is an excellent chef, and cooks authentic Spanish dishes. He lives in the Andalusian region of Spain, and I had the pleasure in making paella with him. Here is his story:

Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am the grandson, son, brother and father of Andalusians. I have lived in Marbella, Spain since 2001, and I have traveled through Andalusia step by step, town by town, identifying lifestyles, cultural traditions, etc.. which I later transformed into tourist experiences for the traveler who visits us and want to discover more about Andalusia.

What does cooking mean to you?
Cooking is part of my culture. I remember studying at the kitchen table in my grandparents' house in Granada. From a young age, we all collaborated on homework; separate lentils, shape croquettes, peel potatoes, etc. Life in Andalusia is done in the kitchen, around a fire.

What makes Andalusian paella special and different from paellas in other regions?
Perhaps the sum of all the experiences makes it different. I have traveled through Valencia, Alicante, etc, I lived and was born in Murcia, and in my opinion, the best rice dishes are made in the Spanish Levant. But I think what makes any kitchen different is projecting yourself on who is going to enjoy eating it and when you cook for your family and friends, it multiplies everything.

Could you share some cooking secrets in making the best paella?
Use a good paella pan and good extra virgin olive oil. Adjust your heat, and of course a Calasparra Bomba rice, in my opinion the best for cooking a paella. Always get the best produce in the local market.

Aside from paella, what are some other must-try dishes you recommend for people visiting Spain?
I like to go out for tapas with friends. I really enjoy trying different potato omelettes, salads, pintxos (pronounced “pin-chos”) and the one that is for me the queen of tapas, the patatas bravas, one day I will write a book about the best bravas in Spain!

Learn more about Marbella Trips and Marbella Gastronomy:
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Marbella Gastronomy - Instagram | Website