Transcript Spanish cuisine

Spanish cuisine
Bread and rice

Grain foods such as bread and rice
have been eaten and enjoyed for
centuries throughout Spain.

Bread is traditionally served as an
accompaniment to food, often with a
little extra virgin olive oil for dipping.
Bread with cheese is a common
snack, and bread is also used to
thicken soups and stews.

The Valencia region is the home of
one of Spain's most famous rice
dishes, the paella. Traditionally
cooked outside on an open wood fire
in a large flat-bottomed pan called a
paellera, a paella can include all
types of ingredients including
seafood, chicken, chorizo sausage,
rabbit and even snails.
Vegetables and fruits

Many of the vegetables commonly used in
Spanish cooking were brought back to
Spain from the Americas by Spanish
explorers in the 1400s and 1500s.
Tomatoes, bell peppers (capsicum),
potatoes and zucchini have now become
synonymous not only with Spanish
cuisine, but Mediterranean cuisine as a
whole. Other commonly enjoyed
vegetables include onions, garlic,
asparagus, eggplant, spinach, cabbage,
cucumbers, artichokes, lettuce and
mushrooms.

These vegetables are used in rice dishes,
stews such as cocida (a one pot dish with
vegetables, beans and chicken or meat
that originated in Madrid but is eaten
throughout Spain) as well as soups such
as gazpacho (a cold tomato-based soup)
and a wide range of salads and vegetable
side dishes.

Fruit—both fresh and dried—is enjoyed as
a snack or as a dessert. Commonly
enjoyed fruit include apples, oranges,
grapes, cherries, dates and figs.
Olives and Olive oil
The warm, sunny climate enjoyed by much of
Spain makes it ideal for olive growing. Many of
these olives are pressed for their oil, and the most
prized olive oil is "extra virgin," made from the
first cold pressing of the best quality olives. Extra
virgin olive oil is used in cooking and adds depth
and texture to hot dishes when added at the end
of cooking. It's also used in salad dressings and
sauces and for bread dipping.
Whole olives, sometimes stuffed with anchovies
or pimento (red pepper paste), are eaten as
appetizers and snacks, or added to stews, hot
pots and salads.
Fish and shellfish

Much of Spain is bordered by ocean, and
fish and shellfish are abundant in these
rich coastal waters. Commonly enjoyed
fish include tuna, sea bass, hake,
monkfish, anchovies, sea bream, sole,
sardines, swordfish, clams, mussels,
oysters, shrimp and squid.

Fish and shellfish are used in a myriad of
ways—grilled over hot coals and served
with bread and salad, fried in olive oil and
served as tapas (small appetizers served
hot and cold in bars and bistros
throughout Spain to accompany sherry,
wine, or beer) dotted through a paella, or
enjoyed in suquet, a saffron-infused stew
with tomatoes, fish, shellfish, potatoes
and wine.
Meat, poultry, eggs and cheese
In most parts of Spain meat has
traditionally been eaten in moderation.
Typically, meats like dry cured Serrano
ham, lamb or chorizo sausage (a robust,
pork sausage made with garlic and
paprika) are used in small amounts to
add flavor and texture to a dish instead
of being the focus of attention.
Chicken is a popular addition to stews
and rice dishes and eggs are used in a
variety of dishes including tortilla de
patatas, a traditional Spanish omelet
with eggs, potatoes and onion.
Cheese such as Manchego (a sheep's
milk cheese) is eaten as a snack, as
tapas or with fruit as a dessert.
TRADITIONAL SPANISH DISHES

Paella

Paella is a traditional Spanish dish
from Valencia. It is a rice dish that
can have meat, fish, seafood, and
vegetables and is characterized by
its use of saffron to give it a
yellow color and unique flavor.
There are three main types of
paella:

Valencian paella/paella
valenciana: rice, green vegetables,
rabbit, chicken, or duck, snails,
beans, and seasoning.
Seafood paella/paella de marisco:
rice, seafood, and seasoning.
Mixed paella/paella mixta:
combination of seafood, meat,
vegetables, beans, and seasoning.
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
Tapas
Tapas is a great Spanish food tradition composed
of small dishes of different types of food, like
appetizers or snacks. The dishes may be cold
(jamón serrano, queso manchego, olives, etc.) or
warm (tortilla española, meatballs, etc.) and can
be served as bar food or as complete meals. It’s a
great opportunity to taste a whole variety of
flavors and dishes, so if you are ever in Spain
make sure to order tapas and experience what the
country has to offer!
Tortilla Española

Another great typical
Spanish food is the
tortilla española. The
tortilla is an omelettelike potato dish, fried
in olive oil, and served
as a tapa. It is a filling
and flavorful dish
(with the addition of
chopped onions) and
can be served in
slices, warm or cold.