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Spanish Food: Most Popular Articles

These articles are the most popular over the last month.
How to Make Paella
Learn how to prepare the internationally popular dish of Spanish cuisine, paella in a step-by-step tutorial with photographs. This version of paella is a spectacular chicken, seafood and rice dish that will become a family favorite once you prepare it.[/p] [p]If you prefer to make a paella without the seafood, try the traditional Valencian version of this dish, called [link url=http://spanishfood.about.com/od/maincourses/r/paellavalencian.htm]Paella Valenciana[/link].
Tapas Party Menu
Everyone throws cocktail parties or dinner parties. So, why not throw a different kind of party – a Spanish Tapas Party?! Learn how to make 5 easy tapas recipes to impress your friends.
Tortilla - Spanish Omelet
"La Tortilla Española" - The Spanish Omelet is also called "Tortilla de Patata" or Potato Omelet. It is the best-loved and most popular dish in Spain, served at home and in cafés and bars. It can be eaten for dinner or as a "tapa." With only 4 essential ingredients, it is not a difficult dish to make.
What are Tapas?
Tapas are snacks, canapés or finger food. Tapas come in many different forms and can vary from town to town! But, what are they? Read on and find out.
Tortilla Espanola Step-by-Step
"Tortilla Espanola," "Tortilla de Patata" or Spanish omelet is the most commonly served dish or tapa in Spain. Try making this tasty dish following our step-by-step with photos.
Spanish Tapas-Shrimp in Garlic
One of the most common "tapas" of Spain, "gambas al ajillo" is quick, easy and FULL of garlic flavor. If you go out for tapas in Spain and don't try this, you haven't tried tapas! Prepare this shrimp appetizer and serve with rustic bread for dipping and after the first bite everyone will want the recipe - and only you will know how simple it was to prepare.
Paella - An Introduction
Paella is currently an internationally known rice dish from Spain. It originated in the fields of a region called Valencia in eastern Spain. Today paella is made in every region of Spain, using just about any kind of ingredient that goes well with rice. There are as many versions of paella as there are cooks. Learn how to prepare paella three different ways.
What is Spanish chorizo?
Chorizo is a sausage that has many different varieties and is eaten all over Spain, made with pork meat and paprika.
Easy Sangria Recipe
It's hot in Spain in the summer, so it's no wonder that the Spanish invented Sangria. It is a great party drink for the summer – It’s easy to make, inexpensive and very refreshing. It is made primary of red wine, lemon-lime soda, fresh fruit and lots and lots of ice!
Top Spanish Tapas
What are the top Spanish "tapas" recipes?! Learn what our top recipe picks are and compare our picks to yours!
Churros - Spanish Fritters
"Churros" are simple fried pastries that look something like a big “French fry,” but taste nothing like one, of course. Fresh dough is squeezed through a pastry bag right into vats of hot oil. Once removed, they are cut into lengths and quickly sprinkled with sugar or drizzled with honey and eaten hot.
Mixed Green Salad-Ensalada
Mixed Green Salad - Spanish Style! It includes cucumbers, peppers, olives and lots, lots more.
Patatas Bravas-Bravas Potatoes
"Patatas Bravas" or Bravas Potatoes is one of the classic Spanish tapas dishes and is served in bars all over Spain. It has a slight bite to the sauce and keeps you dipping your potatoes for more. The best thing is that it is a simple recipe.
Summer Tapas Menu
Entertaining in the summer often means firing up the BBQ, creating more heat and filling the patio with smoke. Why not treat your guests to a buffet of cold "tapas" and salads? All of the dishes listed below can be made ahead of time and kept chilled until ready to serve, including the light desserts.
Introduction to Spanish Food
Spanish food is "down to earth" and uncomplicated, based on simple, locally available ingredients. Learn about typical Spanish food and ingredients.
Spanish Meals
It seems like Spaniards are always eating! Meals and the socializing that happens while eating are a huge part of the Spanish culture. Learn how a typical Spaniard eats and when - You'll be surprised!
Spanish Menu Ordering
Whether it is a Spanish restaurant in Spain or in your neighborhood, you’ll need to learn to order from the menu, or as it is commonly called "la carta." How? Start by reading our course-by-course guide to ordering!
Alioli - Garlic Mayonnaise
"Alioli," a popular Spanish sauce, often served with meats and fish, vegetables or tapas. It is an emulsion sauce traditionally made with garlic and olive oil, eggs are usually added to it to make it more stable and easier to whip.
Gazpacho - 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!
Seafood Paella Recipe
Seafood Paella is probably the most famous and popular Spanish dish around the world. It originates in Valencia, a region on the Mediterranean coast of Spain, between Barcelona and Murcia that is known for its rice dishes. There are as many versions of paella as there are cooks in Spain! If you like seafood, try this recipe.
Ham Croquettes
"Croquetas" - croquettes are small, lightly breaded and fried sort of fritter. They are a sure hit as an appetizer or an afternoon snack with a glass of beer or wine. They are creamy and smooth and very tasty. The best part is you can make the dough ahead of time and freeze it. Then, take the croquetas out of the freezer and pop them into the frying pan.
Paella Valenciana
There are as many versions of paella as there are cooks in Spain! Paella Valenciana is the traditional version of Valencia’s signature rice dish with rabbit, chicken and snails. Learn how to prepare this delicious Spanish rice dish.
Cava - Spanish Sparkling Wine
Spain makes some very fine sparkling wines called cava. It is made in the "méthode champenoise" or “Champagne method,” which is the same method that is used to make Champagne in France. Learn about how it is produced and which type to buy, depending on your taste!
Sofrito - Tomato Sauce
[p]Sofrito is a basic tomato sauce that is made all over Spain. Tomatoes, onions, garlic green peppers and olive oil are sautéed in a frying pan, so that the acid in the tomatoes mellows and mixes with the flavors of the onion, pepper and garlic. It can be eaten with rice or eggs, but often it is used as an ingredient in other dishes, such as the filling for empanadas.
Top Spanish Desserts
Top Spanish Desserts
Pasta in Chorizo &Tomato Sauce
Although Italy is known for pasta dishes not Spain, macaroni, penne and spaghetti are often eaten in Spanish homes with a typically Spanish twist to the sauce – Spanish chorizo sausage and Spanish smoked paprika. A quick main course, the chorizo in the pasta and tomato sauce makes it very tasty.
Empanadas Gallegas
"Empanadas" are turnovers originally from Galicia, a northwestern province in Spain. "Emapanadas Gallegas" or in English, Galician Turnovers are very popular and have spread to every region in Spain, all over Latin America and beyond. They are delicious and owe their popularity to tasty fillings. The smaller version called "empanadillas" are also a very practical snack for those who find themselves away from home. They make great snacks to take cycling, hiking or backpacking!
a la plancha
grilled on a metal plate.
How to Make Spanish Flan
Flan is the classic Spanish Vanilla Custard with Caramel Sauce. Although it is impressive to watch the flan popped out of the mold with the caramel sauce dripping down onto the plate, it is not difficult to make. Don't be intimidated! This step-by-step recipe shows you how to prepare flan, from caramelizing the sugar for sauce to baking it in the water bath. Preparation only takes 20 minutes. Bake for about an hour and chill for 1-2 hours. The most difficult thing is waiting for it to be ready!
How to Make Crema Catalana
"Crema Catalana" or Catalan Cream is the Spanish version of the very creamy and delicate French dessert, crème brulée. It is a very appropriate dessert for Spring, since it is also called Crema de Sant Josep, or St. Joseph’s cream and is traditionally prepared on March 19th, St. Joseph’s Day. St. Joseph’s Day is the Spanish equivalent of Father’s Day in the USA. Try this creamy Spanish dessert recipe!
Intro to Morcilla
Morcilla is generally a thicker sausage, about 2 ½ to 3 inches across, stuffed with pig’s blood, rice, onions and spices. It is eaten as a "tapa" or put into stews.
Tomato Bread - Pan con Tomate
Tomato Bread is simply toasted bread rubbed with fresh garlic and ripe tomato, then drizzled with olive oil and a bit of salt. It can be eaten by itself, but is often topped with cheese, ham or sausage.
Crema Catalana Recipe
"Crema Catalana" or Catalan Cream is the Spanish version of the very creamy and delicate French dessert, "crème brulée." It is also called "Crema de Sant Josep," or St. Joseph’s cream and is traditionally prepared on March 19th, St. Joseph’s Day. St. Joseph’s Day is the Spanish equivalent of Father’s Day in the USA. Try this EASY Spanish dessert recipe!
Romesco Sauce Recipe
Romesco sauce originates from Tarragona, in Northeastern Spain. It is said that the fishermen of the area made it to eat with fish. It is great with seafood, but is a tasty sauce to accompany meat and vegetables as well and is a popular sauce in Spain. Roasted red peppers combine with ground almonds, olive oil and vinegar to make a smooth, rich sauce that tastes great simply spread on a slice of rustic bread.
Spanish Potato Salad Recipe
Spanish potato salad is very different than the typical American version, including its name - "ensaladilla rusa" or Russian Salad. It's a very tasty variation to try the next time you have a BBQ.
Spanish Breakfast Foods
Spanish eat a large midday meal, but start the day off with a simple morning meal. Learn how to eat like a Spaniard starting from the moment you arise.
Chicken in Tomato Sauce
Chicken breasts never tasted so good as this Chicken in Tomato Sauce Recipe! Boneless, skinless chicken breast is pan fried in olive oil. Create a "sofrito" of canned crushed tomatoes, onions, mushrooms and pepper. Then, combine all together for a quick and easy Spanish main course. Home fries or rice with that?
Chicken &Rice -Arroz con Pollo
"Arroz con pollo" or Chicken and Rice is a standard main course in homes across Spain... and Latin America for that matter. It is so popular because it is so tasty! There are many different versions, so this recipe is a basic version to start with.
Alioli Potatoes
Try this recipe for <i>patatas alioli</i>, a very popular Spanish tapa. Who can resist warm, lightly fried chunks of potatoes covered in a creamy garlic mayonaise sauce?
Flan - Custard with Sauce
"Flan" is a vanilla egg custard, topped with caramel sauce. It is a Spanish classic and one of the most popular desserts, served everywhere in Spain. "Flan" is a great finish to a scrumptious meal because even though it is sweet and flavorful, it is a very light dessert. Learn how easy it is to make!
Introduction to Spanish Cheese
Cheese is a very important part of the Spanish diet. Every region has its own types and they range form creamy and soft, to hard and tangy. In Spain, cheeses are eaten by themselves, or with bread, as a tapa, or as dessert.
Top Ingredients for Spanish
Do you "have" what it takes to be a Spanish cook? We bet you have most of the ingredients already. Check this list against the your kitchen pantry and find out!
Banderillas
"Banderillas" are one of the most typical "tapas" you will see in Spain. They get their name from the barbed darts used during a bullfight! Ole! They are colorful and tasty with a glass of wine or sherry. If you do not have time or inclination to cook, but would like to prepare an easy Spanish tapa, banderillas are for you!
Tinto de Verano
The name “Tinto de Verano” translates into English as “Red Wine of Summer.” It is a refreshing wine cocktail served in summer all over Spain. Although similar to sangria, it is easier to make and has less alcohol in it, making it the perfect to sip at a pool party or at the beach on a hot afternoon.
Spanish Food - Recipes
An index of recipes for the Spanish Food guide site.
Cafe con Leche
Have you ever wondered how to prepare at home the same delicious espresso coffee you had in Spain (or other European countries) or what the Spanish eat with that wonderful coffee to start their day off right? We are asked that a lot!
Last Minute Tapas
Last Minute Tapas
Magdalenas
”Magdalenas” are small sweet cakes that are rich-tasting, but light and fluffy. The Spanish everywhere have them for breakfast with a big "café con leche," although they are said to have originated in Aragón. Try them for breakfast, brunch, snack or a light dessert with coffee.
Spanish Chicken Stew
Try this flavorful chicken stew, typical of stews eaten in the region of Castilla, where the winters are chilly and food warms you from the inside out. Served with home-fried potatoes and warm, crusty French bread and a simple green salad for a filling, delicious meal.
Polvorones - Almond Cookies
Rich and crumbly these traditional "polvorones," (Almond Cookies) are delicious cookies, especially popular at during the Christmas season. They are very rich and practically melt in your mouth!
Ensalada Tropical Recipe
"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 salad as a side dish. Prepare without the fish for dessert!
Chorizo
Spanish chorizo, pork sausage seasoned with paprika and garlic that is eaten all over Spain. It comes in all shapes and sizes - fresh, soft, semi-cured and dry to name a few.
national dish of Spain
Does Spain have a national dish or dishes? Which tasty dish is it?
Spanish Lunch - La Comida
The midday meal, "la comida" as it is called in Spain is the largest meal of the day. It is definitely a large meal, usually with multiple courses. Learn about what dishes Spaniards eat. It's guaranteed to make your mouth water.
How to Make Churros
"Churros" are simple fritters that look something like big “French fries,” but taste nothing like one. The best way to explain them might be to say that they are the Spanish equivalent of doughnuts. Instead of a ring shape like a doughnut, churros are long straight or slightly curled lengths that usually have ridges. Fresh dough is squeezed through a pastry bag directly into vats of hot oil. Then they are cut into lengths and sprinkled with sugar or drizzled with honey and eaten hot.
Roast Suckling Pig Recipe
"Cochinillo Asado" or Roast Suckling Pig is one of the most typical dishes in the cuisine of Castilla. The city of Segovia is famous for this dish, where the pigs are roasted until the meat is so tender that it is cut with plates! "Cochinillo Asado" is eaten everywhere - from the smallest village to the largest cities and practically has a cult following!
Calamares Fritos - Fried Squid
You probably know this famous and very popular Spanish tapa, "Calamares a la Romana" by the Italian name "Calamari." In any language, fried squid is a wonderful appetizer and guaranteed to disappear as fast as you put out a plate!
Pork chops a la Madrilene
Learn to make this recipe for moist and juicy pork chops smothered in garlic, onions and olive oil. It is a simple and easy recipe that is sure to be a crowd pleaser.
White Wine Sangria
A light and refreshing twist on "sangria", the traditional Spanish wine punch, mix white wine, lemon-lime soda, oranges and lemons with a splash of triple sec and you have yourself a cool summer drink for parties.
Mantecados - Crumble Cakes
As their name suggests, these traditional Spanish crumble cakes or "mantecados" crumble very easily. In fact, they are so soft, they will literally melt in your mouth. Light and full of flavor, words will not do them justice. You'll have to make them to see why they are a Spanish favorite and why no Spanish home is without "mantecados" at Christmas!
Spanish Hot Chocolate
The Spanish are known to be "locos" for chocolate, since they “discovered” it in the New World 500 years ago. As in centuries past, today the Spanish drink rich, thick hot chocolate for breakfast. In fact, it is so thick that you can stand a "churro" in it!
Spanish Chicken in Sauce
This Spanish chicken in sauce recipe is not complicated and can be made with a whole chicken cut into pieces, or with boneless, skinless pieces for a lower calorie option. The garlic, onion and white wine combine to make an absolutely delicious sauce – especially for dipping bread or drowning your rice.
Cod Fish with Tomato Sauce
"Bacalao" is the Spanish word for Cod fish. This is a simply wonderful fish dish from Central and Northern Spain. Salty, dry cod is soaked in water to soften and release the extra salt. It is then fried, sauteed with tomato sauce and roasted red peppers.
Egg Custard Recipe
Lots of Spanish desserts are filled with rich creamy custard. In every pastry shop you will beautiful cakes decorated with sliced almonds and honey or whipped cream, but hidden between the layers is a rich egg custard. Cooks at home also use this thick, rich custard to fill pastries like "bunuelos."
Bocadillo
Sandwich on a Baguette.
Desayuno
Spanish for "breakfast."
Spanish Christmas Menu
In Spanish, Christmas Eve is called La Noche Buena or “The Good Night” and in Spain it is celebrated with a large family feast that is eaten late in the evening and can last a couple hours. Follow our menu to prepare your own Spanish Feast this Christmas.
Cucumber Salad Recipe
Spanish Cucumber Salad or "Ensalada de Pepino" 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 takes just minutes to prepare!
Lemon Sorbet Recipe
Sorbets and ices of all types are popular around the Mediterranean, especially during the hot summers. However, any time of year that there is an abundance of fresh ripe lemons is a good time to prepare this lemon sorbet. Lemon sorbet is an easy Spanish dessert, sweet but tangy - making a great finish for a special dinner.
Arroz con Leche
Rice pudding, or in Spanish "arroz con leche" is a typical dish served in households all over Spain. It is rich and sweet with a touch of lemon flavor. It is a very easy recipe and can be served warm or cold.
Melon with Serrano Ham Recipe
Salty and full of flavor, Serrano ham makes an excellent contrast with the sweet, juicy Honeydew melon. This “tapa” takes about 5-10 minutes to prepare and requires no cooking. If you are short on time, need something to bring to a potluck or friend’s barbecue, this is the “tapa” for you! Melon with Serrano Ham is also a refreshing dish to serve at a Spring or Summer brunch or lunch.
Smoked Salmon w/Cream Cheese
Smoked salmon with cream cheese is a delicious "tapa" or appetizer that you can serve along with a Spanish omelet, chorizo sausage or simply with a glass of Spanish wine as an afternoon snack.
Galician Style Octopus - Pulpo
"Pulpo Gallego" or Galician-Style Octopus is a "tapa" or appetizer served all over Spain today. It is very simple - cooked octopus served with boiled potatoes, olive oil and sweet Spanish paprika.
Pork Loin, Pancetta Tapa
During the festival of San Pedro in Burgos, this is a popular Spanish tapa. It is simple to make, including a slice of pork loin, pancetta and a mushroom grilled on a bamboo skewer. Serve on a slice of rustic bread with a glass of Spanish wine.
Spanish Seafood
If you have ever been to Spain, or had a friend from Spain, you know that Spaniards have a love affair with seafood. They crave fresh fish and shellfish of all kinds, from cod to lobster. Learn about the huge variety of seafood found in Spain.
Spanish Mediterranean Diet
The Spanish eat a Mediterranean diet that contains plentiful amounts of fruits and vegetables, as well as fresh fish, and their main source of fat is olive oil, rich in monounsaturated fat. Learn more about the Mediterranean diet and why it is not only good tasting, but why researchers believe it is good for your health!
Madrilene Stew
Stews or cocidos, as they are called in Spanish are very traditional and typical main dishes in Spain. They have lots of flavor and include meats, sausage and beans. Madrilene Stew is a favorite of the Madrid region and actually makes a first and second course!
What is paella?
Paella is a rice dish from Spain that has become very popular and is now known around the world.
About Spain and its' Cuisine
Spain's cuisine varies from region to region, depending on the climate and cultures, as well as a little bit about the history. Read a bit about the location and climates of Spain and learn about the six culinary regions of Spain and what they are known for!
Spanish Christmas Sweets
Christmas time in Spain is heaven for those of you with a sweet tooth! Learn to prepare these Spanish Christmas desserts, found in almost every household: [link url=http://spanishfood.about.com/od/dessertssweets/a/turron.htm]turrón[/link], [link url=http://spanishfood.about.com/od/dessertssweets/r/polvoronesv2.htm]polvorones[/link], mazapan and [link url=http://spanishfood.about.com/od/dessertssweets/r/mantecados.htm]mantecados[/link]. You’re sure to have a ¡Felíz Navidad!
White Beans with Chorizo Recip
White Beans with Chorizo is a quick and easy dish for those nights when you don't have a lot of time or energy. Since the recipe uses canned white kidney beans, most of the work is done for you. So, it's a perfect dish for beginner cooks as well. White beans combine well with the Spanish chorizo, onions, garlic and pepper to make a tasty and satisfying main course, ready in about 20 minutes.
Catalan Beef Stew Recipe
This recipe for Catalan Beef Stew or "Estofado de Rez a la Catalana" is easy and has a unique flavor, due to a surprise ingredient - chocolate! Serve it over a bed of white rice for an unusual and tasty stew this winter.
Sorbete de Vino Rioja
Sorbet is the perfect end to a delicious meal. This Rioja wine sorbet made from Spanish red wine, flavored with cinnamon and lemon is a delightful way to cleanse and excite the palette at the same time. It is also a simple, easy-to-prepare recipe that can be made and stored ahead of time. Serve this at your next dinner party. It’s sure to impress your guests!
St. James' Cake Recipe
Santiago (St. James) is the patron saint of Spain and this delicious almond cake is named in his honor. The origin of St. James cake is not certain, but it may have been brought to Galicia by a pilgrim. Today, this cake is sold all over Santiago de Compostela and is popular with tourists and pilgrims.
Eggplant in Tomato Vinaigrette
This grilled eggplant in tomato vinaigrette is a great dish to serve as a "tapa" or a side dish, especially in spring and summer. Even folks who say that they do not like eggplant OR tomatoes have tasted this dish and been hooked! Try serving it as an appetizer or as a salad.
Vino Tinto
Red wine.
Rape al Limon Recipe
This quick and easy recipe originates in the region of Valencia, which is known for its high quality and abundant citrus fruit. Oranges and lemons are not only enjoyed as fresh fruit, but are used in cooking fish and meat dishes.
Vegetarian Paella
Valencia is a region on the Mediterranean coast of Spain, between Barcelona and Murcia. There are as many versions of paella as there are cooks in Spain! Paella Vegetariana is a vegetarian version of Valencia’s signature rice dish. Instead of chicken or seafood, vegetables fill in and create a tasty and satisfying vegetarian rice dish.[/p]
Roasted Garlic Chicken
Roasted Chicken is a popular main dish in Spain and it’s simple enough for the novice cook to make successfully every time. This Spanish version of roasted chicken has more flavor by adding garlic and white wine. It is a good family dinner dish, particularly in the cold weather. Serve with fried potatoes and a simple green salad.
Goat Cheese with Paprika
Using typical Spanish ingredients, this tapa is quick and easy to prepare and has a deliciously smoky, yet salty taste. Roasted garlic and paprika are mixed with fresh, soft goat cheese, then spread over rustic bread and topped with sun-dried tomatoes and capers.
How to Make Torrijas
Once you´ve tried "torrijas," you'll be hooked! Thickly sliced bread dipped in milk and egg and browned. Top it off with cinnamon and sugar or drizzle with honey. The Spanish eat it for breakfast or as a sweet treat at Easter. No matter when you eat it or exactly how you prepare it, you MUST try our easy step-by-step!
Tomato Salad Recipe
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.
Spanish Sheep's Milk Cheese
Sheep's milk cheeses are generally cured cheeses and come from the North of Spain. They are some of the best cheeses to use for tapas tasting.
Top Spanish Summer Salads
Top Spanish Summer Salads
Picadillo - Spicy Spanish Pork
Cubes of pork are marinated overnight in a spicy mixture of paprika, garlic and white wine. Then the pork is quickly stir-fried and served with bread and/or fried potatoes. This is a very easy, typical Spanish recipe that can be made as a "tapa" or a main course. If you do not eat pork, substitute beef.
Olives a la Madrilene
Olives a la Madrilene or in Spanish, "Aceitunas a la Madrileña" is served in Spain as a tapa or to accompany a meal. We like to enjoy this dish with a fresh baguette to soak up the dressing. It can be served year-round, but is especially enjoyable in the summer.
Green Salad Recipe
Simple and refreshing, a basic green salad in Spain is always dressed with extra virgin olive oil and red wine vinegar. It is all you need to complete most Spanish meals.
Varieties of Sherry
Sherry, or "jerez" as the Spanish call it, is a unique and very popular type of wine. There is a Spanish Denomination of Origin to guarantee the quality and control of the wine and give you, the consumer guidance. There are a number of official classifications of sherry or "jerez," from very dry to sweet. Learn about the different kinds sherry.
Red Pepper Sauce-Mojo Picon
In the Canary Islands, mojos or sauces are made with vinegar and oil and served cold, as an accompaniment to potatoes, meat and fish. These "mojos" can be red or green and sometimes spicy, as is the "mojo picon." Serve this sauce as "canarios" do - to accompany a meal, or serve it as a "tapa" with home-fried potatoes or "patatas arrugadas" – wrinkled potatoes.
Alubias con Arroz
Bean dishes are very common all over Spain and make great meals for the fall and winter seasons. Beans are low in fat and full of nutrients like calcium and potassium, not to mention fiber. This bean dish is a simple, flavorful dish that contains no meat. Eaten with rice, it makes an entire meal in a single bowl!
Tortas de Aceite Recipe
Easy Spanish Oil cakes or "tortas de aceite" originated in Andalucia, specifically near Sevilla. They became popular in the 19th century and recently have seen a surge in popularity, especially in the USA. These cakes are a light and healthy alternative dessert, simply made with flour, water, yeast, olive oil and sprinkled lightly with sugar. Prefer a salty "tapa" or snack? Try one of our variations.
Quick and Easy Apple Tart
A very popular Spanish dish, especially in Northern Spain is "Tarta de Manzana" - Quick and Easy Apple Tart. Our version uses prepared puff pastry for crust, fresh tart green apples, and is topped with sweet and luscious apricot preserves to create a golden glaze and seal the apples.
Cilantro Green Sauce Recipe
In the Canary Islands, mojos or sauces are made with vinegar and oil and served cold, as an accompaniment to potatoes, meat and fish. These "mojos" can be red or green and sometimes spicy. This "mojo" has intense flavor, but is not spicy at all. Make ahead and serve with meat or fish, or drizzle over potatoes.
Peppers Stuffed with Tuna
Light, easy and no cooking involved in this "tapa"! A great dish for the summer or anytime you want to prepare an appetizer quickly. Tuna mixed with a bit of green onion and olives, then stuff into roasted red peppers.
Spanish Seafood Salad Recipe
Quick, easy and tasty, this Spanish seafood salad is a perfect summer dish. Serve it as a light main course, a side dish or a tapa. Lightly dressed with vinegar and oil, fresh seafood, gherkin pickles, pepper and cocktail onions are refreshing and delicious.
White Gazpacho Soup Recipe
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.
Spanish Sauces
In Spain, there is a wide variety of dishes. Every region or province has its own special dishes. Sometimes even individual towns have their own twist on regional dishes. Spanish sauces are no different. Most sauces originated in a particular region, but many have spread across the peninsula. Today there are over a half-dozen basic sauces broadly used in Spanish cooking, from "alioli" to "vinagreta."
Chocolate & Almond Cake
Ground almonds and shaved chocolate are mixed with liqueur-soaked lady fingers, then baked. The result is a rich-tasting, but light cake. It is a good choice for brunch for dessert to end a special dinner. Serve with espresso coffee.
Flan de Naranja - Orange Flan
Orange flan is a variation of the traditional Spanish flan, a vanilla custard topped with caramel sauce. This variation is lighter, but has an intense orange flavor that refreshes the palate as well as satisfying a sweet tooth. It is a simple custard recipe that can be made ahead of time and makes an elegant finish to any dinner or celebration, including Mother’s Day.
Spaghetti with Shrimp Tomato
Although pasta did not originate in Spain, spaghetti and various kinds of pasta are enjoyed all over Spain. This dish of Spaghetti with Shrimp in a Spicy Tomato Sauce combines typical Spanish ingredients – tomatoes, onions, lots of garlic and smoked Spanish paprika. It's simple and quick to prepare.
Sopa de Pollo con Fideos
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.
Chicken and Peppers in Garlic
Chicken is first sauteed in olive oil and garlic, then simmered with roasted red peppers in white wine, making a delicious sauce. It is a easily prepared in 30 minutes, making it a good weeknight dish.
Meatballs with Parsley Sauce
Meatballs in a simple, yet rich-tasting sauce made from beef broth, parsley and walnuts. What a great main course for any day of the week, regardless of the season! We recommend serving these delicious meatballs and sauce with home-fried potatoes or lots of crusty bread to soak up the sauce. These meatballs also make a good "tapa."
Meat Stuffed Red Peppers
The Spanish love peppers and prepare them in many different ways. This meat stuffed pepper recipe uses ground meat as the stuffing for roasted red peppers. They are breaded and fried, then accompanied by a rich-tasting onion sauce.
Rioja Style Chicken
This chicken recipe comes from the region of La Rioja, in the North of Spain, hence the name "Pollo a la Riojana" or Rioja-Style Chicken. It is a region well-known for its wine production. The winters in Northern Spain are cold, like the climate in much of Europe, so soups and stews are very popular. This stew includes chicken and chorizo with sautéed peppers and garlic. It is a hearty main course for winter, but is light enough for any time of the year.
Buying Spanish Olive Oil
Are you looking for a high quality olive oil, but are confused by the labels? Spain is one of the major producers of olive oil and Spanish olive oil is of very high quality. Learn what's important to look for on the label and what is just marketing hype!
Bunuelos de Viento Recipe
Light and fluffy and melt in your mouth, Spanish "bunuelos" or fritters are perfect for an afternoon snack or dessert. They are lightly fried, and dusted with powdered sugar and/or filled with pastry cream, egg custard or marmalade.
Spanish Almond Cookie Recipe
Rich, crumbly "polvorones" or Spanish almond cookies are a delicious cookie, especially popular at during the Christmas season in Spain. "Polvo" means dust in Spanish, and these cookies are so rich that they crumble, hence the name "polvorones."
Brie Cheese w/Garlic-Paprika
Smoked Spanish paprika has an intense and unique flavor that is a basic ingredient in many Spanish dishes. This “tapa” combines roasted garlic, dry sherry and paprika with baked Brie cheese to make a soft, rich appetizer that could almost make a main dish itself. Serve atop slices of a rustic baguette or allow guests to spread it.
Spanish Roast Lamb Recipe
Tender suckling lamb, called "lechazo" is a favorite dish of the region of Castilla-Leon. It is roasted until crispy on the outside and so tender on the inside that it almost falls off the bone. It requires no special cooking utensils and is very, very easy.
Macedonia de Fruta Tropical
In Spain, fresh fruit is commonly served for dessert. This tropical fruit salad recipe is a simple fruit salad, to which you may add a splash of rum or sparkling wine or liqueur.
Quick & Easy Spanish Main Cour
Between traffic jams, shuttling the kids to and from sports and driving to piano lessons, weeknight schedules don't allow much time for cooking. Yet most of us prefer home-cooked meals to fast food dining. So, we put together our list of quick and easy main courses that use ingredients that nearly everyone has in the pantry or all supermarkets carry.
Creamy Apple Tart Recipe
These individual apple tarts have a light, flaky crust and an apple filling that is creamy, fresh and not too sweet. They are very attractive and make a good dessert for a festive occasion. Bake them in the morning and refrigerate until dinner. Warm them just before serving.
Figs in Brandy Recipe
Figs are a popular sweet throughout the Mediterranean, including Spain. Figs are eaten fresh in the spring and autumn, or dried and used in many kinds recipes. This is a colorful, festive-looking dessert that is simple to prepare, using fresh figs in a brandy syrup.
Cod Fish with Samfaina
Cod with "Samfaina," a vegetable sauce similar to ratatouille is from Cataluña, a region in eastern Spain. Salty cod compliments the flavors and freshness of the vegetables.
Top Tapas for Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is the perfect event for a tapas buffet, so prepare some or all of these classic Spanish tapas, like "croquetas," potato omelet, "pinchos morunos" (spicy pork kabobs), "patatas bravas," and fried cod fish balls. Prepare some of these tapas ahead of time and don't serve them all at once. Save some tapas for half time and keep your guests anticipating the next round.
Garbanzo and Spinach Soup
This soup 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.
Berry Topping Recipe
This simple fruit topping is easy to make and can be used on top of desserts such as “flan” and “natillas”, or as a filling in a “Brazo Gitano” cake roll. All it takes is simmering of a few cups of fresh or frozen fruit and some sugar and “Listo Ya!” It’s done. Refrigerate or freeze until ready to use.
Regional Cuisine of Galicia
Galicia is located in the extreme Northwest of Spain and is known for its fish and seafood, as well as sauces and stews. Learn about the stews, "empanadas" and fish dishes of Galician cuisine.
Spanish Mixed Milk Cheese
Mixed milk cheeses are generally produced with milk from two or three kinds of animals. These cheeses are some of the best that Spain has to offer, especially Cabrales blue cheese, which the Spanish will assure you rivals French Roquefort cheese.
Tigres - Stuffed Mussels
If you have ever been to Spain, you’ve most likely tasted “tigres,” mussels that have been stuffed, breaded and fried. Although you may see them in "tapa" bars in Madrid and other cities, they are a very popular “tapa” in Northern Spain. A mouth-watering appetizer, many visitors yearn to eat "tigres" when they return home. Learn how to prepare the “tigres” with our step-by-step recipe.
Avocado Cheese Spread Rec
This is a quick and simple modern “tapa” that we think of as “Spanish guacamole.” The Spanish produce plenty of avocados in the southern province of Granada, where the micro-climate is tropical. This avocado-cheese recipe combines some typically Spanish ingredients with avocados to make a smooth and tasty spread on crackers or bread. Top with pieces of shrimp and you have a colorful and mouth-watering appetizer.
Beef Tomato Stew Recipe
Tender chunks of beef cooked in tomatoes, onion, garlic and red peppers makes this beef tomato stew. Although you might think of this as a wintery beef tomato stew, it is a great dish for any time of year. Serve with home-fried potatoes for a good dinner.
Chicken in Pepitoria Sauce
This is a classic dish in Spanish cuisine, originally prepared with hen rather than chicken. Today it is prepared with chicken and does not need to be marinated in wine overnight, but that will enhance the flavor. Saffron gives it a golden color. The wine sauce is thickened with ground almonds and boiled egg yolks. Delicioso!
Spanish Lentil Soup Recipe
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.
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. It is a great way to start a meal.
Peppers in Oil, Vinegar & Garl
This easy Spanish "tapa" can double as a side dish. Roasted red peppers are marinated in Spanish extra virgin olive oil, vinegar and minced garlic. Enjoy it with rustic bread or as a side dish with meat or fish. Served cold, it makes a great dish for warm summer days.
Calatrava Bread Pudding
If you love flan, you'll love this delicious Calatrava Bread Pudding. It is soft, creamy flan with biscotti or toasts on the inside. Serve warm or cold with whipped cream. It is an easy recipe that you can make ahead of time.
Frying with Spanish Olive Oil
Olive oil is an integral part of Spanish food and Spanish cooking. Almost every dish includes olive oil and/or garlic in the list of ingredients. Follow these general tips for frying with olive oil.
Deviled Eggs with Shrimp
"Huevos rellenos" or Deviled Eggs are as popular a "tapa" in Spain as they are in the USA. Made with the standard yolks and mayonnaise, they contain a twist - finely-chopped shrimp! These easy-to-make deviled eggs with shrimp are a wonderful appetizer or "tapa" that everyone will marvel over. Don't be surprised if you are asked for the recipe!
Easy Coffee Flan Recipe
This easy flan recipe is a variation on the classic Spanish vanilla custard called "flan" in Spanish. Espresso coffee gives this flan a wonderfully rich flavor, making it a perfect dessert to enjoy with a glass of after-dinner liqueur.
Grilled Shrimp - Gambas
"Gambas a la Plancha" is a classic Spanish tapa recipe. Whole, unpeeled shrimp are salted, then cooked quickly on a flat iron grill. During and after cooking, lemon juice can be squeezed on the shrimp, giving them even more flavor. What a pure and simple dish!
What are tapas?
Tapas are snacks, canapés or finger food. Tapas come in many different forms and can vary from town to town! But, what are they? Read on and find out.
Fabada Asturiana
"Fabada Asturiana" or Asturian Bean and Sausage Casserole is a typical and very traditional dish from Asturias, made with beans, sausage, ham, meat and tomatoes. It is a perfect dish for winter, satifying and warming.
Wines from La Rioja
Learn about wines from the region of La Rioja, Northen Spain.
Chuletas de Cordero
Hot, juicy lamb chops rubbed with garlic and salt. In the central and north of Spain, there is nothing to equal this taste sensation. The region of Castilla is famous for their lamb dishes and this is traditional and delicious.
Spanish Fruit Trifle Recipe
The Spanish Fruit Trifle is a dessert that includes thick, creamy egg custard, a layer of liqueur-soaked lady fingers, and slices of fresh fruit drizzled with orange glaze. Colorful and attractive, as well as completely satisfying to those with a sweet tooth. The secret ingredient is a Spanish liqueur called "Licor 43."
La Tomatina
"La Tomatina" Festival - Tomato Fight in Buñol, Spain is one of the strangest food festivals! Situated in one of the principal tomato-growing regions of Spain, it seems appropriate that the famous tomato fight takes place in Buñol, near the city of Valencia. Every year for one hour, the streets turn red from ripe tomatoes being hurled in every direction!
Salmon in Green Sauce
Green sauce, or “salsa verde” is a typical Spanish sauce and is usually served with fish. In this case, the sauce also includes green peppers, which gives it a beautiful green color. The salmon is sautéed in olive oil-flavored garlic and the sauce is prepared separately. It is a healthy and quick dish, perfect for a light spring or summer dinner.
Beef Fillets with Garlic
Breaded Beef Fillets with Garlic is an easy Spanish recipe and a tasty and quick main course for dinner. Try this recipe tonight with home fried potatoes and a fresh green salad and you'll see why so many Spanish cooks have made this a standard dinner!

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