Spain is renowned for its beaches, landmarks, and nightlife, but the country’s cuisine should not be overlooked. Traditional dishes boast unique flavors that stem from Spain’s rich culture and geography. Paella, tortilla española, gazpacho, and churros are standout dishes that visitors must try. Paella, Spain’s most famous dish, is a rice dish typically cooked on an open flame with meats or vegetables to create a crispy bottom. Tortilla española, a potato and onion omelette, is tasty and straightforward. Gazpacho, a cold tomato soup, is perfect for hot weather. Churros are a fried dough pastry best served with hot chocolate for breakfast or a snack.
Introduction
Spain is widely known for its beautiful beaches, historic landmarks, and lively nightlife. But aside from these attractions, there’s one thing that’s quite extraordinary and shouldn’t be missed when visiting Spain – the cuisine. Spaniards take their food seriously and revel in their traditional dishes that exhibit flavors that stem from a rich history, culture, and geography. From paella to churros, Spanish cuisine is an array of flavorful dishes that you shouldn’t miss out on.
Paella
Paella is undoubtedly Spain’s most popular dish, and it’s a must-try when visiting the country. Paella is a Spanish rice dish that originally comes from Valencia, a region in eastern Spain where you can find the best Valencian paella. Paella is typically prepared on an open flame in a large pan, known as a paellera, and has a crispy bottom that’s elevated with spices and flavors of various meats or vegetables. Ready to try it out yourself? Here’s a recipe for an authentic Valencian paella:
Ingredients:
- 1/2 kg chicken thighs and drumsticks (or rabbit)
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 chopped onion
- 2 grated tomatoes
- 2 crushed garlic cloves
- 1/2 green pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon saffron threads
- 1 1/2 cups short-grain rice
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 lb green beans
- 1 cup peas
- 1/2 cup pepper strips
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Preheat the paellera on the stovetop.
- Add olive oil and chicken to the pan, season with salt and pepper, and fry until lightly browned. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- In the same pan, fry the onion, garlic, and green pepper for about 5 minutes or until the onion becomes translucent.
- Add grated tomatoes and paprika, stirring until the mixture turns into a thick paste.
- Add chicken and fry for a minute, then add the green beans and pepper strips.
- Add rice and saffron, stirring it in until the rice is coated with oil.
- Add chicken broth and give everything a good stir. Simmer and arrange everything in the pan. Cook uncovered for 20 minutes.
- Add peas and cook for an additional 10 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed, and the rice is cooked.
- Remove from heat, cover with a lid or foil, and let it rest for about 5 minutes before serving.
Tortilla Española (Spanish Omelette)
Tortilla española is a classic Spanish dish that can be served for breakfast, snack, or tapas. It’s a simple and easy recipe made with just a few ingredients but incredibly tasty. Here’s how you can make it yourself:
Ingredients:
- 5 potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
- 6 large eggs
- Salt
Instructions:
- In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs and salt together.
- In a 9-inch nonstick skillet, heat vegetable oil over medium heat.
- Add potatoes and onion and fry until tender, stirring occasionally.
- Remove potatoes and onion from the skillet and mix into the egg mixture.
- Drain the excess oil from the skillet and heat it over medium heat.
- Pour the egg mixture into the skillet, tilting to distribute it evenly.
- Cook until the edges are set, about 2 minutes.
- Place the skillet in the oven and broil until the top is golden, about 2 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and transfer to a plate, slice and serve.
Gazpacho
Gazpacho is a cold soup that’s perfect for hot weather, and it hails from Andalusia, a southern Spanish region where temperatures in summer can surpass 40°C. Gazpacho is typically made with ripe tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, and onions, blended with bread, and then served cold. Here’s how to make this refreshing soup:
Ingredients:
- 5 ripe tomatoes, peeled and cored
- 1 cucumber, peeled and chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1/2 onion, chopped
- 1 slice of bread, crust removed
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- Salt and pepper
- Water
Instructions:
- Wet the bread with water and squeeze out the water.
- In a blender, blend the tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, onion, garlic, and bread until smooth.
- Add olive oil and red wine vinegar and blend until everything is mixed.
- Season with salt and pepper. If the mixture is too thick, add water and blend until desired consistency.
- Chill in the refrigerator before serving.
Churros
No Spanish cuisine guide would be complete without mentioning churros. They’re a popular breakfast or snack food in Spain and are mainly eaten dipped in hot chocolate. Churros are a type of fried dough pastry made from choux pastry dough, which is piped through a star-shaped tip, and then fried. Here’s how to make the Spanish treat at home:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 eggs
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- Oil, for frying
Instructions:
- In a medium saucepan, bring water, butter, sugar, and salt to a boil.
- Remove from heat and add flour. Mix until it becomes a dough.
- Mix in the eggs one at a time until a smooth dough forms.
- In a separate bowl, mix sugar and cinnamon for topping.
- Heat oil in a deep pot to 375°F.
- Pipe the dough into the oil in long spirals and use scissors to cut them into desired lengths.
- Fry until golden brown, turning to ensure even cooking.
- Drain on paper towels and then transfer to the cinnamon-sugar mixture and toss until covered.
Conclusion
Spanish cuisine is diverse, flavorful, and something that shouldn’t be missed out on. From paella to churros, there’s a wide variety of dishes to choose from, and these recipes will give you a taste of authentic Spanish cuisine. Whether you’re looking for something hearty or light, savory, or sweet, Spanish cuisine has something for everyone. So the next time you visit Spain, get ready to tantalize your taste buds with these culinary delights.