The Spanish people are masters at serving up spanish food with popular appeal. Whether it`s food for the local populace, or for the tourists, they seem to be able to provide just the appropriate fair to satisfy everyone`s needs. Every visitor to the country cannot fail to be impressed with the phenomenal selection of spanish food and tasty bite-size creations in the tapas bars.
Spanish cuisine is still a largely undiscovered delight to people outside its own borders. This is a shame because it rivals any in the world. Valencia offers a world class selection of paella and its ollas stews are formidable. The famous Girona veal is just one offering from Catalonia which also boasts incredible rock fish and the made in heaven duo of butifarra sausages with mongetes white beans.
The Iberian peoples like their meat and enormous sized steaks are popular in the Basque region. They prefer their food in generous proportions and this includes a whole variety of fish based recipes. Try our Marmitako Basque-style tuna and potato stew recipe. Typical for starters would include a piperrada, an omelette of pimientos. The north is renowned for its hearty dishes. In Galicia, potato stews or salted hams follow starters of sea food such as octopus and scallops. In Asturias the fabes stews and hake in cider are a delight.
In the Navarre expect to be dazzled by an impressive array of fresh vegetables and creative salads. Poultry dishes are great in Aragon; try the recipe for Pollo al Chilindrón. For alternative starters try the celebrated summer gazpacho soup of Andalucia followed by a parillada mixed plate of fried fish, or tasty ham
As we can see, the Spanish are renowned for their sensational choice of ample regional dishes. They like their food and they like it in quantity. Wonderful roast lamb or suckling pig in Castille preceded by their renowned bread to accompany garlic soup is just one example.
Click here to see all our Regional Spanish dishes.
Nevertheless, Spain is also famous for its tapas. There is an interesting ambiguity here: why do the Spanish bother with tapas when their natural leaning is towards banquet-like meals of giant proportions? The answer lies in the timing of their eating habits. Lunch and dinner are taken much later than anywhere else, typically 2.30pm and 10.00pm, so what could be more sensible than a nice tasty snack to keep you going. The word tapas is derived from 'tapar' which means 'to cover', that is, to cover your appetite until it`s time for the main meal times.
POPULAR TAPAS: |
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Want to see more tapas and how to make them? Click here.
The word 'paella' is the word for 'frying pan' in Valencian. Therefore, it is no surprise to learn that this rice dish originated in Valencia. The three main ingredients are rice, saffron and olive oil; usually meat or seafood is then added to the dish to provide more flavour. Paella has become part of the Valencian tradition, consumed during festivals and Las Fallas. |
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| Saffron paella |
Arroz a la valenciana |
Fideua |
Arroz negra |
Ingredients: saffron, rice, peas, chicken, shellfish, calamari |
Ingredients: rice, chicken, chorizo, butter, onion, pepper, tomato, tomato paste |
Ingredients: noodles, seafood and fish (many variations) |
Ingredients: rice, onion, garlic, cuttlefish, calamari |
CHRISTMAS RECIPES
As in every other Christmas-celebrating country in the world, Spain has its traditional Christmas recipes that are enjoyed throughout the Christmas period. Click on the pictures or links below to see how to make these delicacies:
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CHRISTMAS DINNER
See here for an Ecuadorian recipe for Christmas dinner with a difference. Stuffed bird takes on an altogether different meaning with this superb recipe from South America. A generous sized turkey is stuffed with three other meats: beef, pork and ham, all marinated in the most delicious sauce, and oven cooked to perfection. |
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Thornton's Chocolates
The perfect way to finish off a superb meal is to indulge in that perfect cup of coffee and some delicious chocolates. Try Thorntons and you will not be disappointed, especially as they are currently having the sale of the century! Thorntons are giving away a free box of Continental chocolates (worth £6.49) when each customer spends £15 at Thorntons.co.uk. This offer is only available from tomorrow (12th March) until Friday (18th March) so take advantage and get promoting!
How do your customers redeem the free choccies?
Add the free Continental chocolates to the basket (product code 7590) and offer code AE38. The chocolates will appear free in the basket once the £15 spend threshold has been reached (this excludes the free box).
Click on the Thorntons image below:-
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