Spanish Paella

One of the prime pleasures of travelling is the chance we have to sample foods that differ from our own. Spain is famous for its empanados, deep-fried ‘little pies’ of finely-chopped seafood or meat, served in tiny pastry cases for hors-d’œuvre, slightly larger for luncheon or supper; its savoury tortillas, thick flat omelettes rich with vegetables and meats; and gazpacho, a cold tomato and garlic-based soup with finely-chopped trimmings - spring onions, radishes, pimento, cucumber, green pepper, hard-boiled egg and ripe olives - served in individual bowls on the side so that aficionados may flavour it as they see fit.