Soups and Salads
Recipes for Spanish soups and salads. Being a land with many mountain ranges and high peaks, a wide variety of hearty, hot soups are eaten in central and northern Spain. In southern Spain, cold soups like gazpacho and fresh garden salads are an integral part of the diet.
Cold Melon-Cucumber Soup Recipe – Sopa Fria de Melon
For centuries Spaniards relied on cool soups and food to refresh them at their large midday meal. This is a good example of how delicious a cold soup can be - sweet and tangy at the same time. It's a nutritious and simple first course on a hot summer day or evening. Melon-Cucumber soup is perfect for a novice cook, since it requires no cooking at all - just peel and blend!
For centuries Spaniards relied on cool soups and food to refresh them at their large midday meal. This is a good example of how delicious a cold soup can be - sweet and tangy at the same time. It's a nutritious and simple first course on a hot summer day or evening. Melon-Cucumber soup is perfect for a novice cook, since it requires no cooking at all - just peel and blend!
Spanish Seafood Soup Recipe – Cazuela Marinera
There are many seafood recipes in the Spanish cuisine and each region has their own favorites. This seafood dish combines mussels and clams with garlic, green onions and white wine and has a rich seafood flavor. We recommend adding cooked rice to the soup as you serve it. Delicious and simple!
There are many seafood recipes in the Spanish cuisine and each region has their own favorites. This seafood dish combines mussels and clams with garlic, green onions and white wine and has a rich seafood flavor. We recommend adding cooked rice to the soup as you serve it. Delicious and simple!
Creamy Spanish Shrimp Soup Recipe - Crema de Gambas con Mejillones
Soups of all kinds are popular in Spain, often served as a first course at the afternoon meal. This is a light and creamy soup, combining both fresh shrimp and mussels with dry Spanish sherry, paprika, whole milk and cream. It is an easy recipe that is appropriate for either brunch or dinner.
Soups of all kinds are popular in Spain, often served as a first course at the afternoon meal. This is a light and creamy soup, combining both fresh shrimp and mussels with dry Spanish sherry, paprika, whole milk and cream. It is an easy recipe that is appropriate for either brunch or dinner.
Spanish Lentil Soup Recipe - Sopa de Lentejas
Lentil soup is a traditional first course in Spain. It is easy, tasty and full of nutrients, too. Lentils and cooked with carrots, potatoes and garlic, among other vegetables and combine to make a delicious and filling soup. It is typical to eat lentil soup throughout the winter. Omit the pork from this recipe and eat it during Lent.
Lentil soup is a traditional first course in Spain. It is easy, tasty and full of nutrients, too. Lentils and cooked with carrots, potatoes and garlic, among other vegetables and combine to make a delicious and filling soup. It is typical to eat lentil soup throughout the winter. Omit the pork from this recipe and eat it during Lent.
Murcian Salad Recipe - Ensalada Murciana
This salad is a regional dish from Murcia, in eastern Spain. Simple and refreshing, the preparation time is about 10 minutes, plus the time it takes to boil an egg! The combination of tomatoes, roasted peppers, olives or capers, boiled egg and fresh onion is delightful.
This salad is a regional dish from Murcia, in eastern Spain. Simple and refreshing, the preparation time is about 10 minutes, plus the time it takes to boil an egg! The combination of tomatoes, roasted peppers, olives or capers, boiled egg and fresh onion is delightful.
Bean Salad Vinaigrette Recipe - Ensalada de Alubias en Vinagreta
This bean salad vinaigrette recipe is a good choice for a summer side dish. It is easy to make and takes about 15 minutes, including boiling the eggs! Make this bean salad vinaigrette the next time you need to bring a dish to a BBQ or potluck.
This bean salad vinaigrette recipe is a good choice for a summer side dish. It is easy to make and takes about 15 minutes, including boiling the eggs! Make this bean salad vinaigrette the next time you need to bring a dish to a BBQ or potluck.
Tomato Salad Recipe - Ensalada de Tomate
A fresh and refreshing salad for the summer, Spanish tomato salad is simple to make. Toss sliced tomatoes, green pepper and onions on a platter and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and vinegar. Sprinkle with salt and you have a delicious salad. If you want to spice it up, chop a bit of fresh basil and or oregano and sprinkle over the top.
A fresh and refreshing salad for the summer, Spanish tomato salad is simple to make. Toss sliced tomatoes, green pepper and onions on a platter and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and vinegar. Sprinkle with salt and you have a delicious salad. If you want to spice it up, chop a bit of fresh basil and or oregano and sprinkle over the top.
Cold Spanish Soups
Most regions of Spain are hot and dry during the summer. People like to eat lighter foods and cold soups are a good way to cool off. Below is a list of some great cold Spanish soups, which are perfect for summer dinner parties, potlucks, picnis and BBQs. They are all simple and quick to make, too!
Most regions of Spain are hot and dry during the summer. People like to eat lighter foods and cold soups are a good way to cool off. Below is a list of some great cold Spanish soups, which are perfect for summer dinner parties, potlucks, picnis and BBQs. They are all simple and quick to make, too!
White Gazpacho Soup - Gazpacho Blanco
A cousin to the traditional red gazpacho soup that is made with tomatoes, this recipe for white gazpacho is just as tasty and refreshing – with cucumbers, garlic and yogurt. A great soup to start off a BBQ on a hot summer day.
A cousin to the traditional red gazpacho soup that is made with tomatoes, this recipe for white gazpacho is just as tasty and refreshing – with cucumbers, garlic and yogurt. A great soup to start off a BBQ on a hot summer day.
White Garlic Soup - Sopa de Ajo Blanco
Cold white garlic soup or "sopa de ajo blanco" may not be as famous as gazpacho, but is very tasty and refreshing. Quick, easy and with nothing but healthy ingredients, it owes its creamy texture to the ground almonds and bread. Make it ahead and chill it thoroughly. Serve in glasses or bowls with seedless green grapes on side. Makes a great first course for summer BBQ or "tapas" party.
Cold white garlic soup or "sopa de ajo blanco" may not be as famous as gazpacho, but is very tasty and refreshing. Quick, easy and with nothing but healthy ingredients, it owes its creamy texture to the ground almonds and bread. Make it ahead and chill it thoroughly. Serve in glasses or bowls with seedless green grapes on side. Makes a great first course for summer BBQ or "tapas" party.
Top Spanish Summer Salads
From crispy green lettuce to fresh fruit and creamy potato salad, Spaniards enjoy a wide variety of salads in the summertime. We've put together our list of the "top" salads for hot weather. ¡Buen Provecho!
From crispy green lettuce to fresh fruit and creamy potato salad, Spaniards enjoy a wide variety of salads in the summertime. We've put together our list of the "top" salads for hot weather. ¡Buen Provecho!
Creamy Asparagus Soup - Crema de Esparrago
Asparagus is abundant in Spain in the springtime and very popular. This recipe is easy and quick. Best of all, it turns out a creamy and delicious soup, although has only a 1/2 cup of milk, and no cream or butter for those of us watching our weight.
Asparagus is abundant in Spain in the springtime and very popular. This recipe is easy and quick. Best of all, it turns out a creamy and delicious soup, although has only a 1/2 cup of milk, and no cream or butter for those of us watching our weight.
Ensalada de Naranja y Aguacate - Spanish Orange and Avocado Salad
This salad is easy to prepare, colorful and delicious. Brightly-colored sweet oranges, creamy green avocados, red onions and black olives make a fiesta on your plate. Because of the citric acid in the oranges, it is a good palate cleanser, too. So, you instead of serving it before the main course, you might try serving it at the end of a dinner, as dessert or just before dessert.
This salad is easy to prepare, colorful and delicious. Brightly-colored sweet oranges, creamy green avocados, red onions and black olives make a fiesta on your plate. Because of the citric acid in the oranges, it is a good palate cleanser, too. So, you instead of serving it before the main course, you might try serving it at the end of a dinner, as dessert or just before dessert.
Ensalada de Endibias con Frutas - Endive Salad with Fruit
This salad utilizes ingredients that are all in season during the winter in Spain. Belgian endives are a winter vegetable that make a great winter salad, combined with a light yogurt-based salad dressing. Top the leaves with oranges, dates and pomegranate seeds and you'll be looking for a second helping.
This salad utilizes ingredients that are all in season during the winter in Spain. Belgian endives are a winter vegetable that make a great winter salad, combined with a light yogurt-based salad dressing. Top the leaves with oranges, dates and pomegranate seeds and you'll be looking for a second helping.
Ensalada de Endibia con Vinagreta - Endives in Tomato Vinaigrette
Belgian endives with a tomato vinaigrette makes a lovely start to a meal. Endives are a winter vegetable with a delicate, but slightly bitter taste. Adding a light vinaigrette makes a colorful and fresh salad.
Belgian endives with a tomato vinaigrette makes a lovely start to a meal. Endives are a winter vegetable with a delicate, but slightly bitter taste. Adding a light vinaigrette makes a colorful and fresh salad.
Sopa de Pollo con Fideos - Spanish Chicken Noodle Soup
This soup is a typical first course in Spanish households, regardless of the region. Spanish love soups and seem to eat them whether it is winter or summer. This soup is perfect for those cold winter evenings when you need something to warm you from the inside out. Luckily, it is an easy soup to make.
This soup is a typical first course in Spanish households, regardless of the region. Spanish love soups and seem to eat them whether it is winter or summer. This soup is perfect for those cold winter evenings when you need something to warm you from the inside out. Luckily, it is an easy soup to make.
Shrimp-Pomegranate-Avocado Salad
This salad is not only eye-catching, but is great-tasting. The ruby red pomegranate seeds combine with the green lettuce and the yellow and green avocado, not to mention the pink shrimp. All the ingredients are grown in the Mediterranean and are in season in the Fall, making it a great choice for holiday dining.
This salad is not only eye-catching, but is great-tasting. The ruby red pomegranate seeds combine with the green lettuce and the yellow and green avocado, not to mention the pink shrimp. All the ingredients are grown in the Mediterranean and are in season in the Fall, making it a great choice for holiday dining.
Cucumber-Pomegranate Salad
Pomegranates or “granadas” in Spanish are an ancient fruit, used before the Roman times. In fact, the city of "Granada" is named after the pomegrate! This salad contains typical Mediterranean ingredients, including basil, garbanzo beans and cucumbers. It is a colorful, festive salad that is great for any Fall celebration, including Thanksgiving.
Pomegranates or “granadas” in Spanish are an ancient fruit, used before the Roman times. In fact, the city of "Granada" is named after the pomegrate! This salad contains typical Mediterranean ingredients, including basil, garbanzo beans and cucumbers. It is a colorful, festive salad that is great for any Fall celebration, including Thanksgiving.
Menestra de Verdura - Vegetable Soup
“Menestra de verduras” is a wonderful dish, full of fresh vegetables and a bit of Serrano ham. The great thing about this dish is that you can use whatever vegetables are in season at the time. So, you might substitute spinach, swiss chard, asparagus, leek or faba beans.
“Menestra de verduras” is a wonderful dish, full of fresh vegetables and a bit of Serrano ham. The great thing about this dish is that you can use whatever vegetables are in season at the time. So, you might substitute spinach, swiss chard, asparagus, leek or faba beans.
Ensaladilla Rusa - Spanish Potato Salad
Spanish potato salad is very different than the typical American version, including its name - "ensaladilla rusa" or Russian Salad. It's a great variation to try the next time you have a BBQ.
Spanish potato salad is very different than the typical American version, including its name - "ensaladilla rusa" or Russian Salad. It's a great variation to try the next time you have a BBQ.
Mixed Green Salad - Ensalada Mixta
This mixed salad is usually includes a mix of ingredients that Americans find surprising, such as olives, tuna and white asparagus, as well as tomatoes and onions. Easy to prepare, it is as tasty as it is attractive. Try it at your next dinner gathering!
This mixed salad is usually includes a mix of ingredients that Americans find surprising, such as olives, tuna and white asparagus, as well as tomatoes and onions. Easy to prepare, it is as tasty as it is attractive. Try it at your next dinner gathering!
Ensalada Verde - Green Salad
Simple and refreshing, a basic green salad dressed with extra virgin olive oil and red wine vinegar is all you need to complete most Spanish meals.
Simple and refreshing, a basic green salad dressed with extra virgin olive oil and red wine vinegar is all you need to complete most Spanish meals.
Gazpacho – Andalusian Cold Tomato Soup
Gazpacho is a wonderful way to cool off and to start a meal on a hot summer day. Although we translate the word gazpacho into English as “tomato soup,” it is nothing like hot tomato soup. It is very refreshing, flavorful, stimulates the palette AND very easy to prepare. You need only a knife to chop and a blender to mix!
Gazpacho is a wonderful way to cool off and to start a meal on a hot summer day. Although we translate the word gazpacho into English as “tomato soup,” it is nothing like hot tomato soup. It is very refreshing, flavorful, stimulates the palette AND very easy to prepare. You need only a knife to chop and a blender to mix!
Sopa Fría de Tomate, Naranja y Frambuesa – Cold Tomato-Orange-Raspberry Soup
Summer is a great time to try new drinks and cold soups and salads. This recipe is a modern twist on "gazpacho," the traditional cold soup from Andalusia, where it gets plenty hot! Serve as a soup or a cold drink to start the meal.
Summer is a great time to try new drinks and cold soups and salads. This recipe is a modern twist on "gazpacho," the traditional cold soup from Andalusia, where it gets plenty hot! Serve as a soup or a cold drink to start the meal.
Sopa de Pescado y Marisco – Fish and Shellfish Soup
Spanish love fish and seafood and no wonder - Spain is surrounded by water on three sides! This soup combines fish, clams and shrimp with rice for a rich and flavorful dish.
Spanish love fish and seafood and no wonder - Spain is surrounded by water on three sides! This soup combines fish, clams and shrimp with rice for a rich and flavorful dish.
Ensalada de Pepino - Cucumber Salad
Spanish style Cucumber Salad is a perfect dish for a warm day. It is light, tasty and refreshing. If you need to prepare something at the last minute, this salad is great, since it is easy to prepare!
Spanish style Cucumber Salad is a perfect dish for a warm day. It is light, tasty and refreshing. If you need to prepare something at the last minute, this salad is great, since it is easy to prepare!
Espárragos Blancos en Aceite y Vinagre - White Asparagus in Oil and Vinegar
White asparagus is very delicate in texture and flavor. Try this easy recipe and find out why Spaniards cannot resist this delicacy!
White asparagus is very delicate in texture and flavor. Try this easy recipe and find out why Spaniards cannot resist this delicacy!
Ensalada Tropical – Spanish Tropical Salad
Ensalada tropical is a refreshing and flavorful alternative to green salads in the summer. The mix of tropical fruit, soft cheese and fish is unusual and gives a unique flavor to the dish.
Ensalada tropical is a refreshing and flavorful alternative to green salads in the summer. The mix of tropical fruit, soft cheese and fish is unusual and gives a unique flavor to the dish.
Sopa de Ajo – Castilian Garlic Soup
Typical of the province of Castilla, this soup is a wonderful meal in itself! It is quick, easy to make and will warm you up right away. Like most Spanish recipes, you probably have the in ingredients in your kitchen and can prepare this when you have last-minute guests.
Typical of the province of Castilla, this soup is a wonderful meal in itself! It is quick, easy to make and will warm you up right away. Like most Spanish recipes, you probably have the in ingredients in your kitchen and can prepare this when you have last-minute guests.
Potaje de Garbanzos y Espinacas - Garbanzo and Spinach Soup
This soup from New Castilla/Madrid region is full of flavor and like our American “chile,” it seems to get even better when eaten the following day! It is a hearty soup that is wonderful in winter. If you are planning a "tapa" party, it also works well served in small bowls as one of the main "tapas" of the evening.
This soup from New Castilla/Madrid region is full of flavor and like our American “chile,” it seems to get even better when eaten the following day! It is a hearty soup that is wonderful in winter. If you are planning a "tapa" party, it also works well served in small bowls as one of the main "tapas" of the evening.
Sopa de Pastor Manchego - Manchego Shepherd Soup
This soup from the region of La Mancha is a good starter for a dinner or a main course for a light meal. It is a variation of "sopa de ajo" or garlic soup. It includes bits of Spanish ham and cooked egg to give it flavor and substance.
This soup from the region of La Mancha is a good starter for a dinner or a main course for a light meal. It is a variation of "sopa de ajo" or garlic soup. It includes bits of Spanish ham and cooked egg to give it flavor and substance.