Spanish Recipes

Since the country of Spain has so many different areas and cultural food specialties, it is hard to identify the one food that is uniquely Spanish. The influence of Africa and Europe is evident in both the types of foods as well as the preparation of the food. Seafood is an important element in many Spanish dishes, as is olive oil, fresh produce and the cheeses and meats that are made within the country.

Two of the most popular places to find Spanish recipes are either through a regional Spanish cookbook or through online recipe sites. In most of these sites you will have to first identify the area of Spain you are interested in, then look through recipes that are common in that area. Since most Spanish recipes are simple, yet elegant and refined, it is easy to find  what you need for the preparation in your local grocery store.

Perhaps the most well known Spanish dish is Paella, which is actually a dish from Valencia that was traditionally prepared and eaten on Sundays after church services. The dish is prepared in many different ways but the typical ingredients are rice, saffron as the seasoning, and olive oil. Seafood and other meats are often added to the dish, which is prepared in a large, shallow type of frying pan. In some restaurants and homes, additional ingredients, such as artichoke hearts, black olives, pimentos, peas and even green beans can be added to the rice and broth mixture after it has cooked to make a meal in one dish.

Gazpacho is another Spanish food that has literally hundreds of recipes as to its preparation. It is a cold soup that is prepared from bread, olive oil, tomatoes, garlic and vinegar, as well as cucumbers and peppers. Each family has their own special recipe for gazpacho, which is typically served on hot summer days. Fish recipes are very common in almost all types of Spanish cooking. Fish may be prepared through frying, grilling or marinating and stewing. Fish stews are very popular along the coastal regions and often use a wine base to add flavor and bring out the taste of the seafood.

An excellent way to learn the cooking techniques and recipes of Spain is to take a Spanish cooking class or even better to take a trip to Spain and sample the food right from the area that made it famous.