Everyone knows Julia Child for introducing French cooking to US audiences, with a massively successful cookbook and PBS cooking show.
Well, the great website “Taking Up Room” took up one of Julia’s most unique offerings that was anything but French in origin: “Paella Americaine!”
I came across the “Taking Up Room” blog a few months ago and have become a rabid fan. As she notes on her post about this recipe from Julia:
“It is a little funny to see paella in what is supposedly a French cookbook, since paella is obviously Spanish, but here we are, and in this case the paella is made with ingredients that can typically be found at any American grocery store, hence the Americaine at the end. Julia was really covering all her bases here.”
It’s also noted that Paella is incredibly colorful, but the show was in black and white!
Click here to see the very colorful “Paella Americaine” recipe!
I had the chance to see Julia’s original provencal stove, and my wife Alex and I had the chance to cook on it!
We attended a week-long cooking class with Author/Chef Patricia Wells…and Julia gave Patricia her stove when she left Provence…and Patrica keeps it looking meticulous! Read all about our Julia / Patricia “Chanteduc” adventure here!
I too break all the rules of making a paella which is a favourite in this house but thats what cooking is about making it your own just like Julia did 🙂
I’m a big fan of mussels and often buy them still. There was a chain of restaurants in London called ‘Belgo’ that specialised in mussels cooked in different ways. One was close to where I used to live in Camden Town, and I often ate there. I think they have since closed dowm
When I grew up and spent summers on the water outside Seattle, we used to pull mussels off the pilings and use them for fish bait – I think I still remember them that way!
Bite! Eat! Repeat! 
I love the irony of a Spanish dish prepared by an American known as a French chef, American style ) . early fusion.
I too break all the rules of making a paella which is a favourite in this house but thats what cooking is about making it your own just like Julia did 🙂
I have eaten Paella in numerous restaurants, but never got round to cooking it. I like it best with chicken and chorizo.
Best wishes, Pete.
Pete, I’ve made it, I’ve bought it, and I always love it…probably the only ingredient I don’t need are Mussels…I eat them but not a favorite
I’m a big fan of mussels and often buy them still. There was a chain of restaurants in London called ‘Belgo’ that specialised in mussels cooked in different ways. One was close to where I used to live in Camden Town, and I often ate there. I think they have since closed dowm
Best wishes, Pete.
When I grew up and spent summers on the water outside Seattle, we used to pull mussels off the pilings and use them for fish bait – I think I still remember them that way!
Thanks again for the shout out, John! A paella with olives and prosciutto sounds good.
I enjoyed it but seafood is also a great one for me!
Hi John, I do enjoy paella although I haven’t made Julia’s recipe