1. Home
  2. Food & Drink
  3. Spanish Food

Essential Spanish Food Ingredients

Learn about the ingredients essential to Spanish food recipes, like olive oil, garlic and paprika. Find recipes that use your favorite Spanish ingredients!
Peppers or "Pimientos," Essential Ingredient in Spanish Food
Peppers are native to the Americas, but the Spanish quickly incorporated them into their daily diet. Today they are an essential ingredient in Spanish food and are used as a spice, or prepared in many different way - roasted and stuffed or sauteed with onions and garlic, or eaten raw in salads. Our list of Spanish pepper recipes may surprise you.
Grocery Shopping in Spain
Grocery Shopping in Spain may be quite different than you are used to. Although Spain has some large supermarket chains, you can still shop the "old fashioned way" by going to individual stores or to a market where vendors have their own stalls. Take a peek at how many Spaniards do their daily grocery shopping...
Grades of Spanish Olive Oil
Olive oil is an integral part of Spanish cooking and has been since the time of the Phoenicians and Greeks. There are different varieties of olives and olive oil, as well as differing grades or quality of olive oil. Learn about the official grades and why Extra Virgin Olive Oil is the best!
Garlic - Essential Ingredients in Spanish Food
What would Spanish food be without garlic?! Not as tasty, that’s what! It is definitely an essential ingredient in Spanish food – from sauces to soups and “tapas.”
Spanish Paprika - Pimentón
Spanish paprika or "pimentón" is one of the essential ingredients in Spanish cooking. It is used in everything from Spanish chorizo sausage to fried eggs. Learn about the different types of Spanish paprika and which recipes use it!
Tomato - Essential Ingredient in Spanish Cuisine
Tomatoes are definitely an essential ingredient in Spanish cooking! The Spanish enjoy fresh tomatoes in salads, on bread and cooked in many different dishes. Learn about how to pick a ripe tomato and which recipes use tomatoes or tomato sauce.
Spanish Saffron - Essential Ingredient in Spanish Food
Saffron is called "azafran" in Spanish and is a spice that has a special place in history, always being considered very valuable. Learn about this spice and which recipes in Spanish cuisine use it.
Pomegranates
Pomegranates or “granadas” in Spanish are an ancient fruit, used in ancient times. Around the Mediterranean, which includes the Middle East, pomegranates are a popular fruit to be eaten fresh or cooked in jellies, jams, desserts and sauces.

Explore Spanish Food

About.com Special Features

Conquering High Cholesterol

Learn how you can reduce your your numbers with these nutrition and exercise tips. More >

Mornings Made Easy

Reclaim the morning and your sanity with these easy recipes, tips, and timesaving ideas. More >

  1. Home
  2. Food & Drink
  3. Spanish Food
  4. Spanish Cooking Basics
  5. Essential Ingredients

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.