Are you a bit of a gastronome and thinking about travelling to Spain to taste its mouthwatering delights? Then here are four dishes that you may be interested in:
The first is one of Spain's most popular dishes and is the delightful and tasty Paella. The best place to try an authentic Spanish paella has to be in the beautiful old city of Valencia. Paella means 'frying pan' and is traditionally cooked in a special pan over a wood fire - electric and gas are frowned upon because they are said to ruin the taste. Paella is a rice dish whose main ingredients are rice, saffron and olive oil; the seasoned rice is then garnished with seafood or meat depending on where you go. A seafood paella from the Malvarosa beach area would be hard to beat though – or for a more rustic experience try a traditional Valencian game paella, which traditionally includes snails.
Another classic has to be Tortilla de Patata, which is the legendary Spanish omelette. These are simply made from eggs, potatoes and onion - although every Spanish household has special ingredients that they add. Traditionally, tortilla was a way of making eggs go further, and to 'make something out of nothing', but nowadays it is sometimes considered the national dish.
If you're more adventurous here's a couple you may wish to try. The first is Bocadello de Calamares, which is essentially a Squid Sandwich, although the squid is battered, so it has a nice crunch. These are most famous in Madrid where it is believed that it is the food of the most pure blooded citizen. And finally, if you're really brave you may want to try Oreja de Cerdo, which is a nice tasty pig's ear to chew on! The ear is roasted, either as it is or marinated, and served with garlic and parsley and sometimes with a sharp sauce, which adds a lovely piquancy to the dish.
If this article has inspired you to search for Spanish holidays, then take a look at Abercrombie and Kent’s website for a selection of luxury villas. You will also need to consider travel insurance, for which Go Travel is recommended. |
