Spanish cuisine is known for its fresh seafood and sharp, tart flavors, making it perfect for warm weather. Popular dishes include paella, gazpacho, tortilla, and sangria. It’s a great choice for summer dinners with fresh produce and traditional Spanish wines.
Spanish cuisine is famed for its freshness and fresh flavours, and noted for its use of the plentiful seafood available in Spain. The region’s sharp, tart flavors make Spanish cuisine wonderful for summer and warm weather. Spain’s regional dishes are diverse by climate and geography, making the multi-faceted country an endless exploration of culinary delights.
If you’ve heard of Spanish cuisine, you’ve probably heard of paella. This hearty rice dish is often complemented with seafood, usually shrimp and shellfish. To prepare the traditional paella, saute vegetables and meat together in olive oil with tomatoes, garlic and the essential saffron. Broth and rice are added later, making this Valencian specialty a savory dish similar to jambalaya.
One of the most popular appetizers in Spanish cuisine is gazpacho, a cold tomato soup. Gazpacho comes from Andalusia, near the Spanish-Portuguese border. The dish is a cold combination of fresh tomatoes, at least one day old crusty bread, garlic, olive oil and vinegar. Recently, a cucumber-almond version called white gazpacho has gained popularity in Spanish restaurants, but the traditional version still impresses diners with its garden-fresh flavors and savory tang.
A tortilla in Spanish cuisine is not the same as in Mexican dishes. Instead of dough used to wrap ingredients, a Spanish tortilla is a potato and egg dish, a cross between a quiche and an omelet. Thinly sliced potatoes are fried in oil or boiled before being layered with raw egg and cooked like an omelet. Served hot or cold, this dish is a household favorite in Spain, with many chefs eager to try their own variations.
The quintessential Spanish drink is sangria, a refreshing blend of wine and fruit. Red wine is typically blended with berries and citrus fruits and sweetened with honey or sugar. White sangria, called blanca, uses white or sparkling wine and is packed with peaches and nectarines. The sangria should be chilled for several hours, allowing the wine to absorb the flavors of the fruit. It’s a great drink for weddings or other celebrations and is easy to pack bulk for large crowds.
Basing a summer dinner with friends or family on Spanish cuisine can do no wrong. Shop your local farmer’s market for the freshest fruit and vegetables available, and seek out traditional Spanish wines like rioja and cava to complement your food. Spanish cuisine is light but hearty, flavorful but not overly spicy. It is sure to please the most discerning palates and contains many nutrient-rich components. Break apart maracas and Spanish olives and you’ll have one heck of a treat.
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