Preparing paella with Albert Guzman in Sant Carles de la Rapita, Catalunya

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The battle ground for my second mission on the Catalunya Challenge was in Sant Carles de la Rapita bay and in the kitchen of Albert Guzman's restaurant.

First Iniesta from Natura & Aventura took me to the Mussel bank in a kayak where I found myself some fresh mussels at the Musclarium. The locals come here by boat after work to have some fresh sea food with wine and cava. How cool is that!

From there we went direction Albert Guzman restaurant where I received a warm welcome from the chef and his entire team.

Such a wonderful afternoon and I was very honored to be introduced into the art of the 'Arros tipic Mariner' paella making by Albert, a very cool and talented chef.

We shared the paella with the entire team. As you do...

Today I went on a little culinary adventure in the #Ebre delta for my 2nd mission on the #CatalunyaChallenge I had to go get the main ingredient of 'Arròs Tipic Mariner' first, which are mussels. So I met up with Iniesta in #santcarlesdelarapita and he showed me the way to a mussel bank in his kayak. 👊😎 A pretty cool way to go 'fishing ' for mussels and you don't get them any fresher than this! 😉 #DestinationChallenges with @catalunyaexperience #CatalunyaExperience

Een bericht gedeeld door Bjorn Troch (@thesocialtraveler) op 9 Mei 2017 om 12:26 PDT

This is the #Musclarium which is part of the mussel bank in #santcarlesdelarapita. People come here by boat taxi in the evening to enjoy fresh mussels and oysters with some champagne. They know how to enjoy life around here if you ask me 😎👌 Me, I just went to get me some mussels to go. 😄 Chef Albert Guzman was waiting for me in his restaurant to show me how to make 'Arròs Tipic Mariner'. #CatalunyaChallenge #DestinationChallenges with @catalunyaexperience #CatalunyaExperience

Een bericht gedeeld door Bjorn Troch (@thesocialtraveler) op 9 Mei 2017 om 12:37 PDT

Mussels coming up! 😄 #DidYouKnow it takes a year for them to grow and on one string like this you have 30 to 40 kg of weight... #CatalunyaChallenge #DestinationChallenges with @catalunyaexperience #CatalunyaExperience

Een bericht gedeeld door Bjorn Troch (@thesocialtraveler) op 9 Mei 2017 om 12:42 PDT

Check! 2 kilos of mussels fresh and ready for preparing. 😊 Next stop: #AlbertGuzmanRestaurant! #CatalunyaChallenge #DestinationChallenges with @catalunyaexperience #CatalunyaExperience

Een bericht gedeeld door Bjorn Troch (@thesocialtraveler) op 9 Mei 2017 om 12:48 PDT

Tadaaa! All the ingredients to make a kick ass 'Arròs Tipic Mariner' are there. Let's do this! #CatalunyaChallenge #DestinationChallenges with @catalunyaexperience #CatalunyaExperience

Een bericht gedeeld door Bjorn Troch (@thesocialtraveler) op 9 Mei 2017 om 12:56 PDT

First we clean the mussels. Here I'm pulling their beard 😀 #AlbertGuzmanRestaurant #CatalunyaChallenge #DestinationChallenges with @catalunyaexperience #CatalunyaExperience

Een bericht gedeeld door Bjorn Troch (@thesocialtraveler) op 9 Mei 2017 om 1:00 PDT

Then you add the spicy tomato blend, the white rice and poor a fish bouillon over it and let the rice absorb it all. Easy peasy. 😊 #Paella #AlbertGuzmanRestaurant #CatalunyaChallenge #DestinationChallenges with @catalunyaexperience #CatalunyaExperience

Een bericht gedeeld door Bjorn Troch (@thesocialtraveler) op 9 Mei 2017 om 1:06 PDT

The master himself #AlbertGuzman seasoning the #paella. #saltbae #AlbertGuzmanRestaurant #CatalunyaChallenge #DestinationChallenges with @catalunyaexperience #CatalunyaExperience

Een bericht gedeeld door Bjorn Troch (@thesocialtraveler) op 9 Mei 2017 om 1:11 PDT

And the final step. Decorating the #paella accordingly. 😉 #AlbertGuzmanRestaurant #CatalunyaChallenge #DestinationChallenges with @catalunyaexperience #CatalunyaExperience

Een bericht gedeeld door Bjorn Troch (@thesocialtraveler) op 9 Mei 2017 om 1:17 PDT

Mission accomplished! A beautiful #paella 'Arròs Tipic Mariner' prepared with the help of Albert Gruzman the kick ass chef of #SantCarlesDeLaRapita. I can't thank him enough for his help and the amazing welcome I received from him and his restaurant family. ❤ We then gathered around the table and enjoyed a beautiful lunch together. The little joys in life... #AlbertGuzmanRestaurant #CatalunyaChallenge #DestinationChallenges with @catalunyaexperience #CatalunyaExperience

Een bericht gedeeld door Bjorn Troch (@thesocialtraveler) op 9 Mei 2017 om 1:31 PDT

Salut y Bon profit 🍷 #AlbertGuzmanRestaurant #CatalunyaChallenge #DestinationChallenges with @catalunyaexperience #CatalunyaExperience

Een bericht gedeeld door Bjorn Troch (@thesocialtraveler) op 9 Mei 2017 om 1:36 PDT

More Catalunya Challenge stories here...