About this trail:
As you may remember, the adjective "Spanish" means "from Spain," whereas the term "Hispanic" refers to other Spanish speaking places throughout the world.
This trail will take you through some recipe websites (with pictures) for traditional Spanish dishes that are delicious, mostly healthy, and typically simple enough for you to prepare yourself.
Remember -- the biggest meal of the day in Spain is lunch (El almuerzo) and its eaten at the beginning of the siesta time of the day (2:00-5:00 pm) when school is out, stores are closed, and most families return home to eat lunch and relax together. A typical Spanish lunch is two main courses -- the first is a soup or salad and the second is a heartier dish. Bread is always served with the meal, and most Spaniards are particular about serving each course on a separate dish to not mix flavors!!
At 5:00 pm, after the siesta time, stores open back up, people return to work, and students either have an evening school class or work on their homework. Dinner (La cena) is eaten between 9:00 and 10:00 and usually involves several small portions (tapas) of these dishes.
Most of these dishes can either be served as a whole dish for lunch (una porcion) or as a tapa at dinner-time.
Trail link: http://trailfire.com/elmo_want_beer/trails/66818
Summary: http://trailfire.com/elmo_want_beer/trailview/66818
Summary: http://trailfire.com/elmo_want_beer/trailview/66818
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1
We'll begin this tour with one of the most traditional Spanish cuisines -- Paella, a mixture of different meats, seafood, and vegetables slowly simmered in rice and spices.
Every Spanish cook (mother, father, or restaurant chef) has their own signature Paella recipe that will concentrate on some ingredients and spices more than others. Therefore every Paella dish tastes different from another, and oftentimes can seem to hardly be related to another!
Given the amount of time involved in preparing this dish, it is most usually eaten on Sundays when everybody is home and has enough time to follow the many steps involved.
2
Gazpacho is best served near the end of the summertime when (a) it's super hot outside and (b) ripe tomatoes are easily available.
Don't EVER try to make this without using good tomatoes!!
As the recipe points out, it should be served cold. So, make it, cover it, and leave it in the refrigerator for a few hours to not only chill it down but to let the flavors meddle together.
My host-mother in Spain would make this in the morning as we were waking up (about 8:00) and would refrigerate it until lunchtime (about 2:00).
Don't EVER try to make this without using good tomatoes!!
As the recipe points out, it should be served cold. So, make it, cover it, and leave it in the refrigerator for a few hours to not only chill it down but to let the flavors meddle together.
My host-mother in Spain would make this in the morning as we were waking up (about 8:00) and would refrigerate it until lunchtime (about 2:00).
3
Not only are lentils super-healthy, they are super-delicious as well!!
One of the nice thing about this dish is that it involves using ingredients that are readily available in both Spain and the United States. The "Chorizo" can really be any type of good-quality sausage, but definitely not breakfast sausage.
"Lentils" are type of bean the family of "legumes," and are on the list of top 10 "Power Foods" that you should try to consume once per week.
This lentil dish is cooked by almost every Spanish family every week or two. It is most usually eaten during lunch as a full portion.
One of the nice thing about this dish is that it involves using ingredients that are readily available in both Spain and the United States. The "Chorizo" can really be any type of good-quality sausage, but definitely not breakfast sausage.
"Lentils" are type of bean the family of "legumes," and are on the list of top 10 "Power Foods" that you should try to consume once per week.
This lentil dish is cooked by almost every Spanish family every week or two. It is most usually eaten during lunch as a full portion.
4
This tastes nothing like the Beef Stew we are accustomed to in the US -- this is WAY better!
One of they key concepts in Spanish cooking is that you keep the seasonings simple -- don't overdo them. Too much salt, pepper, vinegar, or spice will spoil the flavor of this dish.
"Heavier" dishes like this stew are best eaten in the winter months, since high protein foods raise your body temperature as they are digesting. Most Spanish families would laugh if you tried to serve this in August when it is over 100 degrees outside!
One of they key concepts in Spanish cooking is that you keep the seasonings simple -- don't overdo them. Too much salt, pepper, vinegar, or spice will spoil the flavor of this dish.
"Heavier" dishes like this stew are best eaten in the winter months, since high protein foods raise your body temperature as they are digesting. Most Spanish families would laugh if you tried to serve this in August when it is over 100 degrees outside!
5
Sorry there's not a picture, but the end result is a soup-like concoction that's choc full of garbanzo beans (aka chick peas), vegetables, and tomatoes.
Try this -- you are guaranteed to love it!
Garbanzo beans are the key ingredient in Hummus and are also a type of legume (as are lentils). They, too, are a super food.
On a side note, any time you see "Cocido" it is a type of "Stew." And "Madrileno" is the adjective referring to something from Madrid, Spain's capital city.
Try this -- you are guaranteed to love it!
Garbanzo beans are the key ingredient in Hummus and are also a type of legume (as are lentils). They, too, are a super food.
On a side note, any time you see "Cocido" it is a type of "Stew." And "Madrileno" is the adjective referring to something from Madrid, Spain's capital city.
6
Here's a healthy way to eat Spinach!
Yes, it's delicious!!
"Espinacas con garbanzos" can be a bit tricky to prepare in that you have to be careful not to burn the bread or garlic while you fry them. There is a fine line between "toasting" them in the oil and burning them.
This dish is a staple "tapa" dish that is eaten in small amounts because a huge plate is shared with friends or family. However, it is so incredibly tasty that nobody will think badly of you if you eat a whole dish for yourself.
Yes, it's delicious!!
"Espinacas con garbanzos" can be a bit tricky to prepare in that you have to be careful not to burn the bread or garlic while you fry them. There is a fine line between "toasting" them in the oil and burning them.
This dish is a staple "tapa" dish that is eaten in small amounts because a huge plate is shared with friends or family. However, it is so incredibly tasty that nobody will think badly of you if you eat a whole dish for yourself.
7
This recipe takes some practice to make, but once you get the hang of it you are in for a real treat!
I wouldn't recommend trying this yet, unless you are experienced at pan-frying and careful flipping of a large omelet.
As the short into to this recipe states, the Spanish "tortilla" has nothing to do with "tortillas" from Mexico. This is basically an omelet that is heavy on potatoes and onions, and light on the eggs.
The "tortilla" will often have other items thrown in during the frying process -- green or red peppers, sausage, or bacon in small amounts really add to the flavor.
A large "Tortilla" is often prepared and then sliced into cake-like triangles to be eaten.
I wouldn't recommend trying this yet, unless you are experienced at pan-frying and careful flipping of a large omelet.
As the short into to this recipe states, the Spanish "tortilla" has nothing to do with "tortillas" from Mexico. This is basically an omelet that is heavy on potatoes and onions, and light on the eggs.
The "tortilla" will often have other items thrown in during the frying process -- green or red peppers, sausage, or bacon in small amounts really add to the flavor.
A large "Tortilla" is often prepared and then sliced into cake-like triangles to be eaten.
8
Simple and delicious, this recipe is also usually eaten in warmer months and served cold. It is a good way to get many types of vegetables in one single serving, as there are often green peas, carrots, onions, and potatoes included in this dish.
If you prepare this slowly and slowly increase the amount of mayonaise you add, you won't overdo it.
This dish is another example of something eaten as a "tapa" in the late evening for dinnertime. It is served in small portions, or a large portion is shared by friends or family.
If you prepare this slowly and slowly increase the amount of mayonaise you add, you won't overdo it.
This dish is another example of something eaten as a "tapa" in the late evening for dinnertime. It is served in small portions, or a large portion is shared by friends or family.
9
This is another famous "tapa" (small appetizer to be shared with friends) of southern Spain. It is basically fried potatoes topped with a garlic sauce. It's probably not the best food choice if you are on a date!
Incidentally, any word or food you see in the Spanish language that begins with the prefix "Al-" has its roots in Arabic, and it is believed that the "Alioli" part of this recipe was brought over from Morocco, Spain's Arabic neighbor in Africa to the south.
Incidentally, any word or food you see in the Spanish language that begins with the prefix "Al-" has its roots in Arabic, and it is believed that the "Alioli" part of this recipe was brought over from Morocco, Spain's Arabic neighbor in Africa to the south.
10
Yet another great "tapas" dish served in Southern Spain. This one has a little bit of a spicy kick!
Remember, though -- most food from Spain is NOT spicy, so don't overdo the heat...
In the days before air conditioning, spicy food was eaten to activate the sweat glands in your body and cool you down. For this reason, "Patatas Bravas" are most often eaten in the warmer months.
In the year I spent living in Spain I never saw this served with parsley, so don't worry if you don't have any!
Remember, though -- most food from Spain is NOT spicy, so don't overdo the heat...
In the days before air conditioning, spicy food was eaten to activate the sweat glands in your body and cool you down. For this reason, "Patatas Bravas" are most often eaten in the warmer months.
In the year I spent living in Spain I never saw this served with parsley, so don't worry if you don't have any!
I remember teaching high school Spanish about 8 years ago and one of the most exciting parts of the curriculum was learning about and trying out food from various Spanish-speaking countries! It would have been wonderful to have a trailfire like this available back then that would've allowed the students quick and organized access to these great resources to learn more about various Latin and Spanish dishes! Shandua