Bill to Reform the Valencian Paella Recipe
Legislative proposal submitted by Representative Madrid.
Preambulo
Whereas:
1. Bomba rice is excessively expensive and difficult to find outside the Valencia region.
2. The absolute prohibition on seafood ignores the paella traditions of Catalonia, Andalusia, and Murcia.
3. Real La Mancha saffron has a prohibitive cost for middle-income families.
4. Requiring orange wood fire excludes 95% of households living in apartments.
5. Paella is the heritage of the entire nation, not just Valencia.
Article 1
Article 1 of Act No. 42/2023 is amended, replacing its text with the following:
"Article 1. Type of rice. 400 grams of bomba rice or, alternatively, medium-grain round rice shall be used. Bomba rice is preferably recommended when available."
Article 2
Article 5 of Act No. 42/2023 is replaced with the following:
"Article 5. Other proteins. Optionally, fresh seafood (shrimp, mussels, squid) may be added as a complement or alternative to the proteins in Title II."
Article 3
Article 7 of Act No. 42/2023 is amended, replacing its text with the following:
"Article 7. Saffron and coloring. Real saffron threads or, alternatively, food coloring suitable for paella shall be used. Real saffron is preferably recommended."
Article 4
Article 10 of Act No. 42/2023 is amended, replacing its text with the following:
"Article 10. Heat source. Cooking shall be performed over a wood fire or, alternatively, on a gas stove at high heat. Wood fire is preferably recommended. The use of electric or induction stoves is prohibited."
Article 5
The following Article 5 bis is inserted into Act No. 42/2023, after Article 5:
"Article 5 bis. Mixed paella. When seafood is used per Article 5, the dish shall be called 'mixed paella' and not 'Valencian paella'."