Oh what an incredible post, Mike! And the photos as it's made are great. Love paella. What a cool heritage, great memories for you. Paul occasionally makes it as he hitched around Spain when young and loved it b/c it tasted great and was the cheapest thing on the menu (!.) Mere pesetas. I am lucky to be the recipient of his love of that beautiful dish you so well described. With photos!
Yuuummmm!! I hope you post about your first time making it as chef de cuisine. I am glad you are back in the family rythm, having lost some decades. Family roots are with us, whether we like it or know it, and I imagine it felt good to get back to the paella and all that it represents to your clan!
Wonderful article, will it be plagiarism if I borrow the idea someday and write about my wife's inheritance of her mother's Sinaloa-style tamales? She too has passed but the recipe lives on. BTW, early on in my time in Mexico, I won a small photo contest and the diploma had my full name Mexican-style including my mother's maiden name. My grandmother got such a kick out of seeing my name with her last name included in it--I ended up sending her the diploma.
Those are both great stories - I hope you do write about them because now I want to read it! I'm not sure I know what a Sinaloa-style tamale is - you can't leave me hangin' lol.
Yes! I definitely prefer the latin style! Every time I see my name written out that way, it reminds me of my mother's family; weird that I don't immediately think about it when I see just "Leavy", but "Leavy Tay" definitely produces that effect. Thanks for the comment, Nadine!
I don't know if I've ever had true paella—I think I've had a cheap and easy version, but I'm sure the real thing is much better. I also love the tradition of having two surnames—it feels a little more equal of the parentage. I think most people default to using their paternal surname more, but I have known a few exceptions to that in Mexico, and I love the idea that you can choose to use the one that you identify more with.
I love paella when it is cooked slowly and with care - but I grew up with it, so it is definitely one of my comfort foods, as the title notes.
I use my paternal surname more too, but again, that is what I grew up with. Although in Mexico, I sometimes change it up and throw just my maternal surname out there - but then I have to keep track of what name I used for what purpose! Ah well, keeps me on my toes.
Thank you Skylar. It is something of a burden to have that recipe, not only for the responsibility but having it is going to naw at me until I actually try making it (several times before I get it right!). I better stock up on rice.
Now since I haven't had paella and it looks so good and you've offered your cooking expertise, I'm off to shout up and down the pueblos from one calle to another until someone, hopefully you, answers.
Lovely article Mike with a lot of good memories for you. And a lot of beautiful glimpses for us. Thanks.
Like eating Paella by candlelight and being surprised by every morsel, you are full of wonders, Mike Leavy Tay. I had you pegged as a very nice gringo.... my words spiced with respect and cariño. Your story...and I mean YOUR story is as intricate as Paella. How lovely to embrace your ancestry. Truly nice to get to know you.
Oh what an incredible post, Mike! And the photos as it's made are great. Love paella. What a cool heritage, great memories for you. Paul occasionally makes it as he hitched around Spain when young and loved it b/c it tasted great and was the cheapest thing on the menu (!.) Mere pesetas. I am lucky to be the recipient of his love of that beautiful dish you so well described. With photos!
Thanks Jeanine! I must admit, I got hungry writing it - it is a beautiful dish. It's a shame to eat it. Almost! 🤣
Totally beautiful. So colorful and each item looked so good!
Very nice
Do you mind to know each other better
Yuuummmm!! I hope you post about your first time making it as chef de cuisine. I am glad you are back in the family rythm, having lost some decades. Family roots are with us, whether we like it or know it, and I imagine it felt good to get back to the paella and all that it represents to your clan!
Yes, it felt good for my soul and my stomach 😆! Thanks for the family reminders, Christy!
Wonderful article, will it be plagiarism if I borrow the idea someday and write about my wife's inheritance of her mother's Sinaloa-style tamales? She too has passed but the recipe lives on. BTW, early on in my time in Mexico, I won a small photo contest and the diploma had my full name Mexican-style including my mother's maiden name. My grandmother got such a kick out of seeing my name with her last name included in it--I ended up sending her the diploma.
Those are both great stories - I hope you do write about them because now I want to read it! I'm not sure I know what a Sinaloa-style tamale is - you can't leave me hangin' lol.
Thanks for reading and your kind comment.
Beautifully-written! And of course, latinas consider it an abomination that we don't even carry our mother's name one generation... I happen to agree!
Yes! I definitely prefer the latin style! Every time I see my name written out that way, it reminds me of my mother's family; weird that I don't immediately think about it when I see just "Leavy", but "Leavy Tay" definitely produces that effect. Thanks for the comment, Nadine!
Language matters!! My pleasure Mike, thanks for the lovely read.
I have a lot respect for your Aunt - I love to make paella but always managed to burn, overcook or undercook. It is truly an art!
Yes, getting that darned rice cooked just right is a challenge. It is an art, and so rewarding when done to the proper doneness - ha.
I don't know if I've ever had true paella—I think I've had a cheap and easy version, but I'm sure the real thing is much better. I also love the tradition of having two surnames—it feels a little more equal of the parentage. I think most people default to using their paternal surname more, but I have known a few exceptions to that in Mexico, and I love the idea that you can choose to use the one that you identify more with.
I love paella when it is cooked slowly and with care - but I grew up with it, so it is definitely one of my comfort foods, as the title notes.
I use my paternal surname more too, but again, that is what I grew up with. Although in Mexico, I sometimes change it up and throw just my maternal surname out there - but then I have to keep track of what name I used for what purpose! Ah well, keeps me on my toes.
I really really loved this, it felt so intimate. and congrats on getting the recipe, that's quite the burden though!
Thank you Skylar. It is something of a burden to have that recipe, not only for the responsibility but having it is going to naw at me until I actually try making it (several times before I get it right!). I better stock up on rice.
Loved it! Wonderful read and I especially enjoyed how it didn't turn into a recipe. It was about you. Looking forward to 2034. :-) Thanks for sharing.
It was about a recipe disguised as me. 2034 will be my year, I just know it!
Now since I haven't had paella and it looks so good and you've offered your cooking expertise, I'm off to shout up and down the pueblos from one calle to another until someone, hopefully you, answers.
Lovely article Mike with a lot of good memories for you. And a lot of beautiful glimpses for us. Thanks.
Yes, Victor! I definitely need to prepare some for you. You will have to bring some coffee though. Thanks for the nice comment.
Like eating Paella by candlelight and being surprised by every morsel, you are full of wonders, Mike Leavy Tay. I had you pegged as a very nice gringo.... my words spiced with respect and cariño. Your story...and I mean YOUR story is as intricate as Paella. How lovely to embrace your ancestry. Truly nice to get to know you.
I have an unwritten rule to reveal another facet of myself once a decade. Stay tuned for 2034 - it'll be a real bombshell! 🤣
Really!!?? Quite the smooth operator considering your practice timeline! I will head all my doctors' recommendation so I can be there: Front Row!