Blogging has afforded me the incredible blessing of meeting people from all over the country. Mostly Cubans who connect with my stories of growing up in the cultural weirdness of being 100% Cuban and 100% American.
I have an online friend who is an accomplished chef in his own right, who makes an amazing paella. We connected over – what else? – Cuban food, of course. I have to tell you that making a paella has always felt like hard work to me. Enter Chef Juan Montalvo, The Hungry Cuban, who not only cooks incredible paellas for parties (lucky you, South Florida!), but he also sells a beautiful 15″ Carbon Steel Red Handled Paella Pan on Amazon.
Lucky for me us, he shows us how to make a perfectly fabulous Chicken Paella at home. 
Did I mention that he’s a wonderful teacher? Take a look.
Besides this gorgeous paella, he also has lots of Cuban recipes that you’re going to want to bookmark.
Because I’m still celebrating my 10 Bloggy Years for the entire month of October, I’m delighted that Chef Juan has very generously agreed to sponsor today’s MBFCF Giveaway:
One official The Hungry Cuban 15″ Carbon Steel Red Handled Paella Pan.
I know. Pinch me.
Full disclosure: I own and love this paella pan and am starting to feel super-confident using it, thanks to Chef Juan’s detailed instructions on how to take that Hungry Cuban Paella Pan and season, clean, and use it to maximum benefit. (I feel like I’m seriously winning here, but that’s not important right now.)
For a chance to win The Hungry Cuban 15″ Carbon Steel Paella Pan – I promise you need this in your life – please answer one or all of the following questions:
- Do you remember the first time you had paella?
- Do you prefer Chicken or Seafood? Or both?
I’ll choose a winner at the end of MBFCF BLOGIVERSARY MONTH on Friday, October 28th, 2016. You have until then to enter.
So, tell me, who’s hungry?
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You can find Chef Juan Montalvo, The Hungry Cuban online:
- www.TheHungryCuban.com
- Facebook: The Hungry Cuban Paella Chef
- Twitter: Chef Juan @TheHungryCuban
- Instagram: TheHungryCuban
The first time remember having paella was at Abuelo’s house. It was seafood, always overloaded with shrimp, and love! I’m nervous about the rice burning so I e never made it, but it may be worth a shot!
I love both. First time I had it was at La Carretta in Miami in 1980!
My first paella was with my dad whereby he cooked In a high cauldron outside on hot coals!! It was perfect as he is one of the best Cuban cooks I know besides my Tia Clara!! I love paella!!
Centro Vasco was an amazing Spanish restaurant en la Calle ocho in Miami. As a kid we went many times and as a family we always had the paella . It was always mixed (chicken and seafood) Que Rico!
The first time I had paella was when my husband’s grandmother made it for us (I believe the first time I came down to meet his family.) It’s one of the few Cuban meals I have been scared to try and make on my own, but I do love it. I think seafood is my favorite.
Love Seafood Paella the way mi Abuelita made!
The first time I had Paella was in Spain on my anniversary.
I fell in love ever since. I love the chicken Paella.
I love Seafood Paella a la chorrera ! 1 can of beer makes all the difference. I would love to win this pan to make my grandpas Paella recipe. Don’t forget the chorizo!
My first time was at my Abuela’s house in North Bergen, NJ. I prefer chicken, but honestly I’ll eat anything.
First off I have to say thank you to Marta for this fabulous blog. I’m a “gringa” who married a Cuban nearly 8 years ago. =) Let me tell you, I did not know what I was in for! I mean that in the most loving way. =) Over the years I have grown to LOVE the Cuban culture. Everything from the food, to the music, the passion and the heart. While searching the internet looking looking for Cuban recipes to make for my hubby I unearthed your gem of a blog. It has not only taught me how to make authentic Cuban food (even impressing my mother-in-law), but it has taught me a lot about the heart and soul of Cuban families. Love it! So, the first time I had paella was when my husband and I were working at a little Cuban restaurant. My husband made it special with chicken AND seafood…. so I love them both. 😉
Just seeing the word “Paella” takes me back to my Grandma’s kitchen and seeing her in action cooking for her family. Oh, how I miss her cooking. Whenever I eat Paella I think of her and smile. I have never been able to recreate her perfect recipe….maybe this pan will help!
The first time I tried paella was at my grandparents house. They were both From Spain. And we always ate seafood Paella. Yummy! I really do miss my grandparents cooking , they were both excellent cooks!
I’ve grown up with paella and have enjoyed all kinds of, but my very favorite is the seafood. All kinds of seafood. Including octopus! Yummmmmm … great, now I’m hungry. 😀
I remember the last time I had Paella. My mom made it and we had a dinner party last year. It was delicious and came with great memories.
The first time I had paella was at a restaurant as an adult. I wish I hadn’t waited so long! I taught myself how to make it and my version includes seafood, chicken, AND pork! I love cooking it for a big crowd and it definitely is always a hit 🙂
The first time I had paella was when visiting friends in the south of France. It was chicken, it was homemade, it was served with the most glorious wine, and came in the biggest pan I’d ever seen. We ate it on the back deck, overlooking the vineyards, as the sun set behind the mountains in the distance. Too perfect? Yup. I’ll remember it forever 🙂
La primera vez que comí paella fue en el restaurante El Madrid en Echo Park en Los Angeles, California. Tenía yo en ese entopnces como la edad de 11 años. Me gustaría ganar la paellera para invitarte a comer una deliciosa paella. Me encantan tu blog y tu página de Facebook. Gracias!
I remember having paella at my abuela’s house for the first time. My favorite is the seafood paella, but I do like chicken paella as well. Never met a paella I didn’t like. Happy 10th year!!
Hi Marta! The first time I had Paella was when I was 15, many moons ago!! My grandmother made it for us, a combination of both. I’ve tried to make it like she did, but can’t beat grandmas ever!!!
I’m a Hungry Cuban. Lol. The first time I had paella was at this New Year’s party my parents friends were having. I was like11 and thought it was arroz con pollo. It was the best I have ever had. For sure, love paella marinera. !!!
To me, the best paella is a seafood paella because of the variety of ingredients. The more seafood in a paella, the better. I love shrimp , lobster, and clams.
I had my first seafood paella in Madrid!! Amazing!! I should try a chicken one. Love your blog, your stories and the responses that you get from all over the nation!!
Keep it up and congrats!!
Th first one I remember was in the 80’s at a great Spanish restaurant in Miami…SolMar….heaven ❤️
My mama was the first to introduce the paella to me. My parents defected to Spain in the 80s and there, in Valencia, did she learn to make a real deal paella. My favorite is with mariscos–oh the mussels, scallops, shrimp make me want to click my heels in glee. We’ve been talking about finding me a legit paellera up here in Virginia but no luck so far!
If i had to eat one kind of food for the rest of my life, no doubt it would be Cuban! I grew up in Miami and my eating life has never been the same since I left in 1992. Chicken paella for sure. First time eating paella? In Miami, moons ago in Las Culebrinas.
I love both kinds of paella! I think they are hit or miss at restaurants sometimes. I like using all natural ingredients instead of “flavored yellow rice”. I believe if your going to make it, make it right!
Cuban food is my absolute favorite! Thank you for your blog! 🙂
I can’t remember the exact first time I had paella, I just know it’s always been a part of my life growing up. I love ❤️ both seafood and chicken ? paella, so it’s a draw there. Love ya, Marta!!!
Havent had paella in years would love to try my hand at making my own, what a beautiful pot
Love making Paella!! Hope I win!!
The first time I had paella was my grandmas when I was little. I don’t like sea food but. I would eat the rice with an egg on top!
Now that I’m older I discovered the chicken paella at a farmers market and love that one!
The first time I tried paella was when I was 6 years old at my mom’s baby shower for my baby brother. I thought it a really gross version of arroz con pollo! I remember picking every bit of seafood out and eating only the rice -it was quite the labor. Thank goodness I outgrew that and now I LOVE paella – chicken and seafood alike. Of course now I’m suffering through my same childhood affliction with my little ones. At 30 years old, I’m just starting to cook my way through the food of my people so my poor children don’t grow up deprived of this delicious food. Your recipes have been a GIGANTIC help. Last weekend we had some fantastic paella at Xixon and it inspired me to want to try my hand at it so I eagerly clicked on The Hungry Cuban’s video. I can’t wait to try it and I’m hoping this pan will really help! xoxo
Make Paella???absolutamente!! Unfortunately mi mami passed away before she could teach me. I’m not exactly the greatest cook but I’m trying and with the perfect paella pan, I am sure I will succeed!!
I love seafood paella… made by someone else! Unfortunately for my family I keep trying to make it. Maybe Chef Juan and his paella pan will be my saviors.
I remember eating my first paella at La Esquina de Tejas in Little Havana in Miami! I prefer seafood over chicken but honestly they are both so good!
That I can remember, I must gave been in my preteens when I first started to eat Paella. My mom would order it from a great Spanish restaurant when special guest were coming over.
I love Seafood Paella!!!!
Seafood Paella is the only kind of paella. My mom gets super offended when there’s chicken in it haha.
I prefer seafood paella pero si no hay otro remedio me lo como con pollo ? también. ???
Paella all the way….seafood and chicken….que delicia! I eat it with a banana on the side! lol Not a plata no just a regular banana. I don’t know why but we always did that!
First time I ate paella I was an 8 year old kid, visiting Miami from South Carolina with my Cuban parents, in a restaurant in Calle Ocho. That was a long. long time ago. I believe it was The Centro Vasco. I loved it.
My mom taught me to make paella and I make it once in a while. Love the sea food one.
I honestly prefer the traditional seafood paella, but i once had one that also included chorizo español and it was fuera d liga!
I love both chicken and seafood paella!
I love the pan! Might even be inspired to actually cook once in a while between all the delicious recipes and this pan if I won! 🙂 My favorite Paella is chicken (due to seafood allergies). I can just smell the deliciousness of my mom’s kitchen during paella day!
I love a paella with the combination of both!!! Happy 10 years MBFCF!!!
First time I ate Paella was at my Tia Pastora’ s house . It was seafood. I only ate the rice part . I didn’t like seafood then . I think I was like 7 yrs old . My Tia Pastora made the best Cuban rice dishes ever. Marta your rice recipes remind me of my Tia Pastora . I’m so blessed to have found your blog and your yummy recipes . Congratulations on your 10 yrs .
I prefer both chicken and seafood together!
The first time I had paella was at El Farito Beach back in the 70’s. My aunt who was an exquisite cook made it for 20 people, over an open flame. I was 14 years old and remember thinking to myself, “this is very good.”
I love both chicken and seafood paellas.
Had paella at a spanish restaurant and would prefer seafood paella.
The first time I remembered having paella was in Camagüey when I was around 8 years old. My family use to buy paella from a place called El Caribe. It was seafoods Now I think I would prefer chicken!
I was 25 the first time I heard paella. My aunt made it for me. I prefer chicken paella. Yum!
Ok….so don’t hate me but to tell the truth I have never had paella. ?
But I have in my possession is your “Big Fat Cuban Family Cookbook” and I am ready to get my paella on!
I am not a seafood person only a “SEE FOOD” one so I prefer chicken…..?
I am a chicken person over seafood. Unless it’s camarones en aguachile. And I’ve never had paella.
The first time I had paella was at a Spanish restaurant with my family when I was about 8 years old and I remember loving the soft and creamy rice. I should mention I loove rice! My favorite paella is both chicken and seafood, with plenty of shrimp and calamari!