Arroz al horno is the wood-oven-baked Valencian rice: a clay cazuela of bomba rice with chickpeas, blood sausage, pork ribs, tomato and potato slices, baked in the bread oven.
Where to eat it: 4 restaurants across 1 city.
Arroz al horno (rice in the oven) is the Valencian housewife's Monday dish, made from the leftovers of the Sunday cocido. Chickpeas, pork, blood sausage and morcilla from the previous day are layered with rice, tomato slices and potato in a clay cazuela and baked in the local panaderia's wood-fired oven on the way to work. The dish has been cooked in Valencian kitchens since the 17th century. Navarro and Racons cook canonical versions in central Valencia; the El Palmar restaurants in La Albufera bake the dish in their own wood ovens.
Common allergens: Pork
Tip from the editors. Use a clay cazuela if you have one; it holds heat and gives the rice the canonical bottom crust. The whole garlic head is essential; squeeze it onto the rice when you eat.
This is the TableJourney editorial recipe, modelled on the canonical bistro / counter version. The first place to try the dish in its city of origin is below.
Navarro on Carrer de l'Arquebisbe Mayoral in Valencia's Ciutat Vella is a long-running family rice kitchen, with a tiled dining room and a strong arroz al horno tradition.
Signature: Paella valenciana, Arroz al horno, Fideua
Order: The arroz al horno with chickpeas, blood sausage and pork, ordered as a half portion for two.
Tip: Reserve 24 hours ahead for paella. The menu del dia at lunch is one of the best in the centre.
Casa Roberto on Carrer del Mestre Gozalbo in Valencia's Eixample has cooked Roberto Aparicio's traditional paellas since 1986, with a long chef's record in Valencian rice.
Signature: Paella valenciana, Arroz al horno, Croquetas
Order: The paella valenciana ordered ahead, with the croquetas and salmorejo to start.
Tip: Closed Monday all day and Sunday evenings. Reserve 48 hours ahead for paella; the dining room is small.
Racons in Valencia's Eixample is a neighbourhood arroceria with a wide rice carte, including the wood-oven arroz al horno that needs ordering in advance.
Signature: Arroz al horno, Paella valenciana, Croquetas
Order: The arroz al horno (oven-baked rice with chickpeas, pork and morcilla) for two.
Tip: Closed Sunday evening. The wood-oven arroz needs at least 24 hours notice.
Order: The paella valenciana for two, ordered ahead.
Why locals love it: Neighbourhood arroceria in central Valencia that locals book weekly, the lunchtime menu del dia is the best-kept secret.
Tip: Closed Sunday evening and Monday. The lunchtime paella plate is the secret.
More cities are in research. Want arroz al horno covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.