Spanish Cuisine
Spanish food and wine are reasons enough for a trip to Spain. The lucullan gurmets may be forgiven and can easily justify their wish to sample the varied culinary adventures of Spain.
The gastronomical wealth of the Spanish regions of the Iberian Peninsula and the pleasure of dining derives from the variety - each region has a distinctive style. The centuries of the cultural fussion of nationalities and their art of cooking have created a colourful and tasty heritage. Sadly, some of the old recipes have been now forgotten as they gave way to the tourist requests of the fish and chips and burger bars. Hopefully, Spain will realize the importance of nurturing of the ancient tastes, before they vanish for ever.
Galicia is known for its wonderful seafood recipes (octopus is one of the favorites); the Basque Country for its bacalao (a preserved salt cod that tastes better than it sounds); Castilla for its cheese, grilled meat recipes and cochinillo (roast suckling pig); Extremadura for Iberian Ham or Jamon Serrano ham (a dry-cured spiced ham recipe similar to Italy's Prosciutto di Parma); Navarra for trout and chorizo (a spicy sausage); Andalucia for gazpacho (a delicious chilled tomato soup) and tapas; Catalonia for grilled rabbit, romesco (a sweet pepper sauce traditionally eaten with grilled spring onions) and butifarra (blood sausage). Paella (a delicious saffron-flavored rice dish with pimiento, peas, fish and shellfish) is found throughout Spain, but the most authentic version comes from Valencia, where the dish originated. Other dishes from Spain include sopa de pescado (fish soup), parrillada (a mixture of various fried fish and shellfish), grilled lamb and rabbit. Cocido (pronounced co-THEE-do) is a traditional Madrileno recipe made from sausage, bacon, garbanzo beans, cabbage and boiled meat -- it's particularly popular in winter. Desserts include flan (baked egg custard), turron (marzipan, chocolate or nougat), crema Catalana (egg custard with a crunchy glazed top), arroz con leche (rice pudding) and pijamas (a silky combination of peaches, flan and whipped cream).
One of the best ways to sample Spanish food is at the tapas bar.
Tapas are a sometimes free - small side dishes received with a drink order from the bar - of just about anything: cheese, olives, squid, smoked shrimp, sausage, fried potatoes in a paprika sauce (patas bravas) and marinated vegetables, snails cooked in a tomato sauce.... Tapas can also be ordered off the menu and are often a better buy than the "raciones". Below are just a few dishes to try.
Tapas originates from the word 'tapa' - 'the lid'. The bar owner used to offer a free taster of the meal, (which was placed on a small plate on top of the glass, like a lid) hoping to sell a half or a full portion. No meal is complete without a bottle of a full bodied Spanish wine -- and both red wines and white wines can be a treat. Rioja is considered the best wine-growing region. The Andalusian city of Jerez produces the fortified white wine Sherry.
Cava, a bubbly wine similar to champagne, comes from Catalonia, where you can sample it in many of the Champagne bars.
The day in Spain won't be the same if you don't start it with a glass of Coffee. The thick short glasses are used instead of cups or mugs.Coffee is a favorite drink in Spain, and it comes in several different ways. Espresso, cortado (an espresso with a drop of milk), cafe con leche (an espresso with a lot of milk) or carajillo (an espresso with a shot of brandy)... In Malaga's region the coffee is served in numerous ways. Nube, Sombra, Cortado, Semi-Cortado, Mitad, Largo, Semi-Largo, Cafe solo.... Another unusual drink favoured by the Spaniards is a horchata - a cool, refreshing non alcoholic beverage made from a sweet root. You will rarely find a true capuccino in Spain, if you are a lover of this frothy coffee. Most bars will serve you a black coffee with a whipped cream. In the tourist areas though, you may find that the bar owners have their coffee machines pre-programmed to create capuccinos without any effort or skill.
 There is always a good selection of coffee available, here are just a few to try. CAFE CON LECHE ( White coffee with milk ). CAFE CORTADO. ( a small white coffee normally served in a glass ). CAFE SOLO ( a small black coffee). CAPUCINO. ( The frothy one as we all know ).
Move your meal times if visiting Spain. Lunch starts at 1:30 pm and people often stop in the restaurants until as late as 4 pm, while most restaurants start dinner at from 9 pm or later especially in the summer when restaurants still serve meals after midnight.
You might find it difficult to dine in Spain if you are a vegetarian, as Spaniards are self-confessed meat eaters and restaurants rarely serve non-meat, non-fish dishes. The service is rarely charged and you may wish to leave 5 - 10 % tip.
Menu del día - the menu of the day usually consists of a three course meal with a drink included and can cost from 5 to 10 Euros, depending on the area. The local village bars offer delicious lunch time meals, traditional to the areas and very different from the meals served in the tourist resorts. |
