Spanish Food and Cooking

An Introduction to Spanish Food and Cooking

Traditional Spanish cooking has popular roots. It is the people’s cuisine. Most of it is down-to-earth, uncomplicated food, based on the ingredients available locally or the crops grown regionally. Mountains run through Spain in several directions, acting as natural barriers to communication and making transportation difficult until the last half of the 20th century. This is just one of the reasons why cooking differs so much from region to region. Another is the fact that Spain was created by uniting many small kingdoms, each with their own traditions. Many dishes are prepared today using the same cooking methods and ingredients as they were two or three hundred years ago. Like the Romans, the Arabs, who conquered and lived in Spain for 800 years made fabulous contributions to Spanish cuisine, and their influence is seen in many recipes. Other dishes sprung up from European and American influences and were adapted to the Spanish taste. One thing is for sure, food in Spain is fresh, abundant and full of flavor, and the Spanish love their food dearly.

Seafood Tapas

If you have ever been to Spain, or had a friend from Spain, you know that Spaniards have a love affair with seafood. It’s only natural, if you consider that Spain is surrounded on three sides by water – the Atlantic Ocean, the Cantabric Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. As far back as the Romans, plants were built to preserve fish by salting and drying them. Today, Spaniards eat seafood every day, prepared many different ways. That includes a dizzying variety of seafood “tapas.”

Meat and Poultry Tapas

Tapas sometimes replace entire meals as Spaniards stroll from bar to bar, making their rounds, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that tapas can be substantial dishes and include meat and poultry.

Vegetarian and Egg Tapas

Tapas come in all varieties, including vegetarian kinds like grilled eggplant. Eggs are also very popular in Spain and are prepared many different ways. “Tapas” are no different. From fresh egg-based mayonnaise in Spanish potato salad to scrambled eggs in Spanish omelets.

Tapas Menus

Tapas really fit the modern lifestyle and approach to casual get-togethers. When entertaining, a series of tapas plates and a green salad can replace an entire meal without leaving your guests hungry. Below are several collections of tapas, which can make a full menu.

Jamon y Chorizo

Spanish ham and chorizo are two favorite ingredients in Spanish cooking. Both Spanish ham and chorizo sausage can stand on their own as tapas, as well.