La Paella: Deliciously Authentic Rice Dishes from Spain's Mediterranean Coast

Seattle native and travel and food writer Jeff Koehler has lived the last 20 years in Barcelona married to a native Catalan. In this book he tackles paellas, cazuela (rice casseroles), and calderos (rice stews). Koehler’s in-laws expand and deepen his understanding and appreciation of Spanish food and culture. His discussions of the basics gives the aspiring paella cook a good foundation to begin with. He covers equipment, raw materials, and techniques. Koehler details 16 paellas that rely on ingredients available in most larger American cities. He follows the paellas up with 12 rice dishes prepared in the cazuela (casserole) and the caldero (similar to a Dutch oven). He finishes up with 2 rice desserts and provides a list of sources for equipment and key ingredients. This attractive, well written and well-illustrated book gives even the novice cook a good starting point for making paella. One problem - sometimes you have to read more than one recipe to get all the steps down. Koehler does an especially good job capturing the culture of paella - an enjoyable book with several recipes worth trying.

I went on a quest for authentic paella after Christmas, bought a pan, ordered authentic chorizo, bomba rice, imported sweet smoky paprika and saffron from Spain and this cookbook. Really a let down after all that according to this cookbook to use a lot of his recipes I also needed to buy squid ink, maybe a rabbit, some snail, some cuttlefish (I thought only parakeets ate that)....and here I was planning on just purchasing some chicken, mussels, scallops, shrimp, lobster, whatever. So would I recommend this cookbook, well like so many rustic cookbooks they'd work great if you were living in a rustic place in the country of origin...outside the region with a specialized set of recipes it becomes problematic...I won't even go into the story of going online and ordering fresh chorizo online from Spanish specialty store here in the US for $24.50 only to receive it 10 days later unrefrigerated despite labels all over the package saying "Keep Refrigerated"...so La Paella is definitely a go to cookbook if you live in Spain, don't speak Spanish and want to make paella or you live in the US and just so happen to have a relative in Spain to mail you groceries overnight.

This is a good guide and a good read about the art and process of making a great paella and the rices used. However, there were many exotic ingredients in most recipes to discourage the American cook, especially those of us who do not live in a major city near a port. While the authentic Spanish rice and some other ingredients are readily available by mail order, although expensive, many other ingredients such as cuddlefish, squid, snails, rabbit, monkfish, and others items that appear to crop up in most of the 12 recipes, are proving elusive. I'm sure these are authentic recipes, but surely some can be adapted to the American cook with a list of alternative ingredients. I haven't actually tried any of the recipes because I can't get the goods, although the vegetable paella looks doable. Teresa Barrenechea, in "The Cuisines of Spain" has a couple of paella recipes where all the ingredients are available at the supermarket or easily via mail order (like the special spanish rice and chorizo). Read "LaPaella" for an education in the traditions and mystique of this dish, but look elsewhere for recipes you can actually cook.

Loved this book, it gave me a lot of great cooking ideas, great gift.

I read the book in one sitting with a flashlight during commercials. I had my 1st paella in 1980 when I was stationed in Spain for 3 yrs. Every Thursday that's what I had for lunch. When I came back to the states I prepared it for my friends & they raved. It became my most requested dinner. This book is an excellent introduction for anyone wanting to learning the origins of paella as well as the different styles of preparation.

I like this

The book is awesome, the information wonderful. There is always a joy in reading about someone who is writing about a personal passion, and Jeff Koehler has a passion for Paella.Unfortunately, the joy of the book was marred by the transaction with the vendor. But, we live and learn. I would seriously look at anything Jeff Koehler writes again, I just will not purchase through the vendor I picked again.

Nice book - lots of pictures and details.Interestingly enough, none of the recipes resemble anything I was served in Spain.And, some of the main ingredients include things we don't readily get here in our local markets, like rabbit.(Though, my husband's family used to raise rabbits on their farm - 50 years ago.)I will do more reading and trying out recipes.

Having lived in Spain and visit regularly, I really adore Paella and cannot get enough of the stuff. I've picked up a few tips from Spanish friends however, this truly is an excellent book and you will impress your family and friends every time!Pay no attention to any negative comments by others I can assure you, as a former professional chef, I soon realised that Paella, like many foods, does have its uniqueness in preparation and require a little skill and patience which pays off with excellent results....enjoy!

Very good book, good recipes and lovely pictures

Bought for my son. He tells me he has learn the principle of doing paella from this book, and now doesn't use it so much. Tasty looking recipes though

I love this book, it has some wonderfull recipes in it. I have also bought a paella pan to go with it so i can make authentic dishes. I would recommend this book to anyone with a love of Spanish food.

Very bland and uninspiring recipe book, very few pictures etc. Bought it as a present and was too embarrassed to give it!