Arroz Ala Valenciana Novels & Stories

“These are dishes prepared to restore your strength, after the long journey. Please, allow me to introduce them.” How did she know that I needed them to be introduced? I nodded quietly. She gestured to the first dish placed closest to me. The only dish I was familiar with. “This is white jade rice, grown in the eastern valleys of Archeon. It is softer than common grains and easier on the stomach.” I followed her hand, my gaze settling on the steaming bowl. The grains were glossy, almost translucent, nothing like the coarse food I was used to. Before I could linger too long, she moved on.

She had also chosen William's favorite song to go with the album. William finally called when she was out and about for too long, "Honey, you're being a little bit unreasonable. How could you be away for a few good hours? Don't you miss your husband?" It was rare for William to be so clingy. Valeria replied in a good mood, "I'll be back soon and I'm starving to death. I would like to have mouth-watering dishes when I get back." "Don't worry, everything has been arranged accordingly." "I would want to have steamed meat with vermicelli noodles," Valeria reminded him.

With that thought, Elijah became a missile that suddenly plunged upward at high speed to find Alessia. ••• Alessia's POV I do not know where we are now. All I know is that Lolo and I are in Valeria. We were inside a large house in a secluded wooded area. "Grandpa, where are we?" I asked him. I am now sitting at the table and there is food prepared there. I don't know who cooked but grandpa said he had a roommate who lived here. Grandfather served the rice. Our dish was tinola made from sea shells. I have eaten like this before but it is too expensive in Manila so we don't often eat like this there.

“Luca, don’t be rude. Eat your vegetables,” Valentina whispered to her brother when she saw him just playing with his food. Luca whispered back to his sister, “I don’t get it. Rice and vegetables for breakfast? It feels like lunch.” “What? It’s a typical Filipino thing. Rice in the morning, noon, and night. You’ll need to adapt, since we’re not at home. Just eat your food.” With a pout, Luca reluctantly tried the vegetables with his rice. He thought it wouldn’t taste good, but was impressed when he tasted it. “Wow, what kind of vegetable is this?”

Either way, he is putting a massive amount of energy into wooing me, making it blatantly obvious that he views this as far more than a business transaction. “Very good, sir,” the waiter says before rushing off. “Julian, I don’t even know what a Pat Valencia is,” I say, slightly annoyed at him ordering for me. Still, I force a polite smile. I don’t want to upset him before I have a legally binding contract safely back in my hands. He laughs loudly, fully amused by my butchered pronunciation. “It's Paella Valenciana,” he corrects smoothly. “You’ll love it, trust me.” He brings his fingers together and kisses them like a cartoon chef. “It’s delicious.”

She said in a rude manner. I really wanted to leave but they wouldn't throw this big gathering if it wasn't important. "What should I get?" Alessandro asked as everyone started digging into the food. "Chile rojo and chicken pozole verde to start. These two." I pointed to them and he nodded with a smile. I liked to see him trying things out with me, especially if I've had them over a hundred times. My plate was filled with El flan, rajas con queso, and chicken pozole verde. I passed him a water and beer, feeling my moms eyes staring at me.

“It’s great to see you up and about the house already.” I smile back at her in appreciation, I try to meet Valentina’s eyes again but she refuses to look at me. She must still be upset from the exchange in the room. Becca opens up the dishes on the table, the room is immediately taken by the aroma, my stomach rumbles as the delicious aroma wafts into my nostrils. In no time, my plate is laden with Chicken Marsala, Panzanella and Cacio e P**e, I dig in with gusto, absentmindedly, I note that Valentina’s plate is barely full.

"I-I'm.. I'm sorry, Amara but.. I can't love you back." Her heart broke instantly on what he said. It was broken that it made her suddenly out of breath. Like she's drowning at at the deepest part of the ocean and no one would be there to save her but only one face is flashing on her mind while still trying to breathe for air. It was Helios'. MAYLENE IS COOKING 'adobo' (a famous Filipino food) while looking at Amalia who looks really unwell and just staring at the window. Amalia looks like she's thinking something deep that's why Maylene didn't bother to disturb her.

Aris said the Spanish tortilla was Viktor's favorite. ​I nodded quickly, grateful for the distraction. "I'll find a way to get it for you. There’s a small bistro a few blocks away that specializes in traditional recipes. I'll make sure it's prepared exactly how you like it. Olive oil, potatoes, and no onions if you're feeling particularly traditional." ​"Onions," he corrected me instantly. "With onions and caramelized. That’s how it’s meant to be." ​I froze for a split second.

Ossonuco Alla Milanese—braised veal shanks, slow-cooked in a luxurious white wine and saffron sauce, served with creamy polenta. “Geez!” Lina exclaimed, dragging the plate closer. “This is a tender fall of the bone perfection and I am down for it!” Rosealba let out a soft chuckle, rubbing her palms together. She reached for a plate that contained Gnocchi Gorgonzola e Noci—soft pillowy potato gnocchi tossed in a luscious Gorgonzola cheese sauce with caramelized walnuts. She lowered her nose to the plate, inhaling softly and savoring the feel of the aroma against her nose.