Spanish recipes are my absolute favorite Whether trying them at home, or eating in Spain, you are guaranteed to experience something wonderful and exciting. The subtleness of flavors and combinations are really inspired. Many though fall to the beach-side tourist attractions and feast on all the fatty food filled with garlic. The ideal way to experience Spain and it’s food is to learn its language, atleast some of it, and head into the city where you will find some true Spanish restaurants serving the real deal.
Food is not all that costly in Spain and the food offered is decent for the money. A good way to sample the local food is tapas, which are small dishes of snacks which are served anytime, especially in small bars. Tapas can be made using meat and vegetables and is extensively sold in bars where they serve as a good dish to go with alcohol.
The Spanish tend to eat traditional continental breakfasts, a light lunch and an evening meal, quite late in the evenings. There are some traditional dishes which simply must be tried, but each town has its own variation.
Spanish food also reflects the history of the country; its unstable history, diverse geography and Mediterranean customs. The country was occupied for centuries by the Moors, who were the first to cultivate olives and oranges in Spain, and this had a huge impact of the Spanish diet, as did decades of extreme poverty suffered by millions under France’s repressive regime.
The Moor influence can be experienced in a large variety of Spanish dishes flavored with cumin, saffron and other exotic spices. The soups and stews, sumptuous and delectable, were the staple diet of peasant communities, existing on home grown vegetables and meat bones, stewed for a long time to draw out the last drop of flavor
An interesting way of exploring Spanish food and wine is by way of culinary tours in Spain. Even tapas tours can be taken, and you could try out the vast selection of wines. And if the wind takes you that way you could even go for some cooking lessons in emblematic places.
For additional information and videos on the various Spanish cuisines please visit Spanish Recipes. You might also want to take a look at some of the popular Spanish Desserts