Taste of Authenticity

You really can’t beat authentic Spanish paella. None of that crummy English wannabe stuff was on the menu, as we feasted out tonight. Crammed full of god knows what, the seafood dish had me examining everything on my fork before it entered my mouth, wondering what sea creature happened to be inside my next bite, every bite.

It seemed like every time I stuck my cutlery into the dish, I’d draw out a new, untried sea creature. I’d examine it to the point of feeling a touch like a scientist finding a new species of life, before trying out if the taste was better or worse than I’d imagined.

To say the flavours varied is putting it mild. From what I could tell, there was shrimp, prawn (to which I took apart for the first time myself – and must say it’s not exactly kind work, after mercilessly pulling off its head and tail to the sound and feel of breaking bone), mussel and some smaller type of mussel (to which the name escapes me). I correctly also guessed calamari (squid) and after a brief look of disgust, tried some octopus as well. There was also some other kind of chewy fish – a bit like a mix of squid and razor fish (the one I tried at the buffet last night) – but I couldn’t tell what on earth it was.

Octopus is certainly not one for the squeamish either. Although you’ll be pleased to hear it does not involve tearing apart any body parts like some kind of anti-God, the little suckers on each tenticle don’t half put you off. For a start, they look like rabbit droppings. Wondering what food group these suckers belonged to is a whole new question. I’m assuming they’re muscle, which is protein, though no doubt there’s also a tiny bit of fat in there too, though to be honest I really was clutching at straws. Still, it tasted surprisingly nice.

I really think we need more Spanish food back home. Food-wise, we’d broader our horizons tenfold if there were enough tapas bars around. Not necessarily just offering tapas either, but paella and other Spanish delicacies (like Iberian Ham for example) would be gold dust. I know there’s one tapas bar in Leyton, about 5 miles from my house, and another I think in Gants Hill, about the same distance. In comparison, there are 4 Indian restaurants on my road, and two Chinese takeaways. A gap in the market for Spanish food is putting it lightly, and no doubt demand will meet supply amply. One for the future maybe?

P.S. Not looking forward to my 8.45am wake up to venture out to the island’s largest market. Still, I suppose the *fake/cheap* Spanish football shirt and souvenirs I’m looking for so wildly won’t come to me, so I guess it’s up to me to bust a gut, get out there and start living. Might just find a paella dish and some seafood while I’m at it; could always resort to setting up a tapas bar...