Despite it's presence in Mediteranean cuisine especially Greek and Italian basil (vasilikos in Greek) hails from India where it is still used by Hindus in worshipping rituals to the gods Vishnu and Krishna. In Greece it is used by priests to prepare holy water. According to the ancient physicians Hippocrates and Dioscorides basil has pharmaceutical and healing properties. In ancient Egypt it was used in embalming. The Romans saw it as a symbol of love. The Greeks a symbol of death.

Paella Valenciana originated from Valencia Spain, is a one-pan peasant’s dish made with rice, vegetables, saffron, chicken and seafood.

Ingredients:
10 g squid rings
25 g mussels
75 g shrimps
25 g clams
25 g slab bacon slivers
2 slices chorizo

So long as you check the label and know what to look for, canned are often as good a fresh, especially if you live in an area where you can't get fresh tomatoes all year round. The canned tomatoes also take a lot of the hassle out of making your own pasta sauce - the peeling, seeding and even the chopping are all done for you if you want.