ottawa foodies

Hello all:

I recently bought a paella pan, it defintely helps in developing the carmelized 'soccarat', and further browns the rabbit/chicken well initially because it gets hot so quickly.

Does anyone know where I can get valencia or bomba rice in town? I have been experimenting with basmati and arborio/italian short grain (opposite ends of spectrum, i know) and arborio certainly absorbs a ton of liquid but it is a bit creamy when finished, even without stirring, than basmati or other longer grain styles.

Thoughts on substitutions? Thanks.

Nicastros on Merivale has valencia rice all the time. I found the bomba rice at Grace in the Kitchen when it was in Ottawa South and my guess is the location in Kanata would still carry it although I have yet to check this location out.

I was at Grace in the Kitchen yesterday and they do have paella rice, as well as Venetian Rissotto rice.

I found Bomba rice at La Bottega Nicastro in the market. They also carry non-Bomba Valencia paella rice, which is a bit easier to find around town and is a bit cheaper (in the East end, I found some at Cuisine and Passion).

Marios Foods Centre

381 McArthur Ave

They always have Bomba rice in stock, smoked Spanish paprika as well for your paella.

Tracinho did you season your pan like a cast iron pan before using it?

Thanks everyone, I'm glad to hear it's available...can't wait to get out to stock the pantry.

Peppermonster: It was a stainless steel pan, which is interestingly cheaper than a carbon steel pan and perhaps not as authentic. Anyway, I didn't season like a cast iron pan, just heated some chorizo with a bit of oil first time....