Okay, so the other day I was staring into my fridge, wondering what to make for dinner. I had some leftover paella from a weekend party and didn’t want it to go to waste. But, I also wanted something more, you know? Paella is great and all, but sometimes I need a little extra something-something on the side.
My Little Experiment
So, I started brainstorming. What actually goes well with paella? I wanted to think outside the box, not just your basic salad.
First, I rummaged through my pantry. I had some:
- Artichoke hearts (canned)
- Roasted red peppers (jarred)
- Some crusty bread
- A lemon
- Fresh parsley (surprisingly!)
I’ve tried this before, and it was pretty good. I warmed up the artichoke hearts and red peppers with a little drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of salt. The slight tanginess and the roasted flavor really complemented the richness of the paella.
I grabbed a fresh baguette. I love the contrast. Nothing fancy, just a nice, rustic pairing. It is a classic, and for good reason. The bread soaks up all those lovely paella juices.
This time, I tried something simple and squeezed some fresh lemon juice over the paella right before serving. Oh, my god, this is a simple thing but it totally worked. The lemon brightened everything up and cut through the richness, while the parsley added a fresh, herbal note.
I have to say, that’s my all-time favorite. It’s simple, it’s flavorful, and it really does enhance the paella without overpowering it.
So, that’s my little paella adventure. Nothing too crazy, but it definitely made my leftover night a lot more exciting! Sometimes the best pairings are the simplest ones.
