I 'm looking to start making paella, and I’m wanting to start with a solid rice choice.
I’ve erred in the past by dropping long green on $$$ ingredients in the name of 100% “authenticity” (Cassoulet and heirloom turkey, pay attention). So if there’s a premium imported rice at a reasonable price, great. But if not, what’s a solid, lesser, maybe domestic choice that people know and like?
Thanks.
I have used Calrose with reasonably acceptable results. I think I’ve only made paella three times in my entire life, though, so it’s not like I feel a need to stock up on yet another niche variety. I also use it for risotto.
I think it’s supposed to be “arroz bomba”, but don’t know if it’s considered expensive.
I found [this] about subs to be interesting…
Use Arborio rice. Easy to find, cheap, works great. You may have to adjust your liquid amount from your recipe a little (bomba absorbs more than Arborio)
Once you know you love paella, have the technique down, etc you can splurge for Bomba rice and decide if it’s worth all the effort and cost.
Our supermarket used to sell “bomba” rice but now just has the pack labelled as “paella rice”.
It isnt something we ever cook. Unsurprisingly, the Spanish family members make a lovely paella and we just know our own efforts would be disappointing in comparison
That’s my go-to for paella.
That’s what I have heard, but I’ve used arborio satisfactorily.
