Spain Food
Are you ready to learn and even cook up some of my family's own recipes?
Spain Food...What can you say about Spanish food, as you can
imagine food is very important in our culture, it is not only a means of
nourishment but more importantly a way to socialize, like going for
Tapas (ir de Tapas) and sharing time with your
family.
Spain Food...I can still smell the aroma in my aunt's kitchen while she prepared all
those Sunday meals, where our family (and believe me we have big
family!) would get to together and share not only a good meal but
nice sobremesa afterwords
Let's start by Learning some Spain Food
History
Spanish food has been influenced by many cultures since
throughout its history Spain was invaded by many groups such as: the
Phoenicians, Greeks, Visigoths, Romans and particularly the Moors which
resided in the Iberian peninsula for over 7 centuries until they were expelled
for good in 1492. All these cultures contributed to the evolution of
the Spanish food; the Phoenicians brought some sauces while the Greeks
introduced the use of
olive oil
which
is still now a days one of the main staples of Spanish Cuisine.
The most influential group being the Moors, they were
responsible for introducing a variety of spices such as: saffron, nutmeg
and cinnamon. They liked to mix fruit with nuts, fish with meat
combinations that are still very popular to this day. They also brought
rice to Spain which has become one of the main staples of its cuisine
and accounts for the abundance of rice dishes, most famous the paella.
At one point during the Moorish rule, Christians, Jews and Moors co
existed amicably, which helped to blend the individual culture's
contributions to the Spanish cuisine. For example, pork is eaten
frequently in Spain a contribution from the Christians since neither the
Jews or Moors eat it. However, pork dishes did have seasoning added and
methods of preparation that both came from the Jewish and Moorish
cultures.
After Columbus discovered the New World in 1492 other Spanish explorers
soon followed and brought back many additions with them like tomatoes,
chocolate, vanilla, various types of beans and potatoes which now are
considered some of the basic ingredients of the Spanish cuisine.
Now a days Spain still has a cohesive cuisine even with the many regions
that divide the peninsula, for example the use of aceite de olive (olive
oil), pan (bread), ajo (garlic), cebolla (onion), and ensaladas (salads)
which are pretty much always present in the food preparation.
The center of Spain is known for its cocidos (stews) and asados
(grilling), while rice and seafood dominate the east, meat and fish are
more popular in the north and the south is well known for its fried
seafood.
Even though all of the regions in Spain have their own particular dishes
there are still dishes that are prepared through the peninsula such as
Tortilla Espanola (Spanish Omelet) made mainly of eggs and potatoes,
Gazpacho (cold tomato soup) mainly eaten in the summer months and Paella
a delicious rice dish, many types of meat, vegetables
and seafood. I can still remember the first time I ate paella in Gandia
(where we spent our summers) in the province of Valencia and my mouth
still waters
Check out my
Spanish Food Family Recipes and more....
