Monastrell brings the essence of our land and sea products to the table, allowing you to enjoy authentic flavors prepared with innovative techniques. It is the perfect setting to savor the fusion of the Mediterranean’s secret flavors.
And it is precisely known as the ‘Mediterranean trilogy,’ the combination of three of the favorite ingredients that our chef María José San Román uses in some of her recipes: rice, olive oil, and saffron.
As an International Ambassador of EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil), María José San Román knows the importance of using the right type of oil in the ideal proportion for a top-quality rice dish.
Saffron is included in all her rice dishes for its enhancing properties. No artificial coloring is used in Monastrell’s recipes.
Rice also enjoys great varieties, among which whole grain and semi-whole grain are increasingly taking the spotlight in her recipes. Clients who are aware of the extraordinary results they offer often request them specifically.
Besides the appropriate ingredients, the secrets to a good rice dish in our Alicante restaurant depend on the type of dish we prepare.
Dry rice dishes require utmost precision. Even the altitude at which they are cooked relative to sea level affects the cooking time and the amount of broth needed. Adding to all this, without a doubt, is 25% fat content.
For a perfect dry rice dish, extra virgin olive oil is essential, as it is ultimately fried in that fat. The 25% of oil we use ensures that the rice gets fried and absorbs all the full potential of the broth in which it is cooked.
For creamy and brothy rice dishes, timing is crucial, as well as stopping the cooking when the rice is perfect and ensuring it doesn’t overcook. At Monastrell, we transfer it to a cold pot to halt the cooking process and add a finely chopped raw vegetable used in the sofrito. The experience is as surprising as it is unique.
Why is Alicante the city of rice?
Alicante is the city of rice par excellence, as this ingredient is the star of much of our gastronomy
It would be possible to eat a different rice specialty in Alicante every day, especially if we take advantage of the infinite combinations it offers. Of course, there are creative and fusion proposals. But the same traditional recipes evolve and manage to surprise with unexpected culinary experiences.
Rice, like gastronomy in general in Alicante, has inexorably advanced towards excellence and quality, thus forming an exceptional attraction for tourists from all over the world, who now recognize the city as a much more enriching destination than just spending a few days in the sun and on the beach.”
Alicante’s privileged location enhances the rice dishes prepared throughout the province. Fresh ingredients from the sea and the garden, with quality as the highest standard, allow for the preparation of all kinds of rice recipes, each with its own personality.
It is not surprising, therefore, that Alicante’s rice dishes are so prominent in the city’s gastronomic offerings or that they even capture attention during the most important cultural festivities in the area.
Typical Rice Dishes from Alicante
We enjoy a wide variety of typical rice dishes in Alicante. We couldn’t highlight one over the others.
Firstly, because the experience of its flavor is subjective to personal preferences. Secondly, because it wouldn’t be fair for one rice dish to take the spotlight over another when we are talking about some of the highest-quality recipes in the world.
To select just a sample of the variety of typical rice dishes from Alicante, during your visit to our city, we recommend that you don’t leave without having enjoyed some of these options:
- Senyoret rice: a classic rice recipe par excellence from Alicante, where ingredients like prawn, monkfish, or tuna add that exceptional fish touch that makes it unique.
- Socarrat: which fuses an enhanced flavor with the crispy finish that is enjoyed in every bite. Achieving a perfect finish is a true demonstration of culinary talent.
- Arroz a banda: another typical rice recipe from Alicante, where fresh seafood like prawns and squid help create an exquisite dish.
- Arroz con costra: this timeless classic, which also embraces curious variations, surprises with its toasted egg layer and takes advantage of oven cooking for a preparation that delights any palate
Savor one of the best rice dishes in Alicante with Monastrell.
At Monastrell, we take advantage of seasonal products to create honest, memorable, and unparalleled recipes.
We recommend, among them, our rice with cuttlefish, pumpkin, and artichoke, for which we use rice produced in the Albufera of Valencia and made by Molino Roca
With its Bahía variety, one of the most historically used in this Mediterranean area, we prepare it with a fish base and add the last seasonal artichokes from Vega Baja and cuttlefish from the Alicante bay, in a fusion of flavors that will give you an unforgettable experience.
