It is almost impossible to surpass a gastronomic variety of Spain. In the country there are a lot of areas that tourists will be struck in thousands of aromas and tastes, in each area the house specialties.
Spain is well-known thanks to a flamenco, soccer, the beautiful coasts, long sunny days, exclusive night life, siestas, incredibly long names of locals, islands and the fact that Spanish - one of the most widespread languages on Earth after Mandarin dialect and Chinese.
But also you shouldn't forget that this brisk area of the Iberian Peninsula is also well-known thanks to magnificent dishes.
Spanish cuisine - not the healthiest kitchen of the world and it not from cheap, but it isn't deprived of the charm and surprises tourists with paints, a variety and an improbable combination of tastes.
When I have begun to write this post, I wanted to make the Top of 10 dishes which need to be tried in Spain, but in process I have understood that I can't just decide on what place to give to dishes and instead have just decided to write the list. Each of these dishes reminds me of some tremendous moment of my holiday in Spain, and, I hope, at you pleasant memories will be connected with them too.
Tapas - Spaniards eat him at any time
It is impossible to visit Spain and not to try well-known tapas! It how to go to Paris and not to see the Eiffel Tower or how to order the American coffee in Italy.
First of all, tapas is not some special dish; it is small snack which Spaniards eat at any time, anywhere. I won't tell in detail about tapas because on the Internet it is a lot of information on them, and, probably, to me to be necessary several hours to share with you my impressions from tapas.
I will just tell you some interesting facts about tapas.
Tapas is a part of the Spanish culture and better to understand it, you have to know that in Spanish there is even such verb "tapear" which means "is tapas". Because of a sensation around tapas sometimes it is necessary to pay for these snacks.
While in such cities as Madrid and even Barcelona they are provided to tourists free of charge at each order of drink in bar or a pub, still there are places, such as the Basque Country or Andalusia where most likely free tapas to you won't get.
The best tapas which I tried was in Madrid, in popular bars of this city where you even shouldn't pay for a lunch or a dinner because every time as you order beer, will bring you a plate with mini-sandwiches, almonds, squids or some other snack. And that the coolest - dishes don't repeat.
On the other hand, the most tasty tapas which I ate was from cheese with a mold, I tasted it on the beach of Majorca, I paid for it, but undoubtedly it cost the money.
Hispaniola tortilla
For the first time in life I tasted tortilla when I traveled to Ibiza on the ferry. I remember that it was "bocadillo con tortilla", a sandwich with tortilla. So it was pleasant to me that I ate three more.
Later, I learned that there are many types of tortilla, some thick, others are thinner and softer. This Spanish omelet the most widespread dish in the country and it always consists of potato, eggs, onions, salt and pepper.
Though say that it is easy to make tortilla, I with it always have problems. At me it was never impossible to bake correctly it in a midway, it is interesting why?
Recipe such: cut potatoes on thick segments and lower them in a pan with water before boiling. Further fry it on a frying pan with a small amount of olive oil. Make sure that it soft, not reddened. Then merge liquid and mix potatoes with slightly cut onions and crude beaten-up eggs.
Pan fry this mix (it is desirable with a ceramic covering) several minutes on the one hand, then turn by means of a paddle and leave for several minutes.
Everything is very simple! Let know if you cope!
Paella - a national dish of Spain
Paella - the traditional rice dish which appeared in Valencia. In Spain three types of a paella are known: the paella in Valencian (white rice, vegetables, chicken, a duck and meat of a rabbit, snail, beans and spices), a paella with seafood (rice, seafood and seasonings) and a paella of a mikst which represents a free combination of products usually is rice, chicken, seafood, including mollusks, vegetables, olive oil, a saffron and other spices.
I love a paella of a mikst, especially that that is served on a frying pan-paelyera, only present, a romantic dinner on the beach, late summer evening, a glass of cold sangria, a light breeze...
Gazpacho on-andaluzski
As well as the majority of the Spanish dishes, gazpacho can be prepared differently. The gazpacho can be warm or cold, in the form of soup, salad and even in a stewed look. Usually gazpachos do of tomatoes, a cucumber, onions, garlic, with a small amount of olive oil, wine vinegar, salt and sometimes (but it is rare) ham.
My favourite gazpacho - tomatoes, cucumber, onions, olive oil, wine vinegar and salt soup. All this mixes up and served with toasts, cubes of ice and the cut tomatoes, onions and a cucumber. An ideal lunch in Andalusia!
Cream of a katalan - the Barcelonian dessert
Many consider that cream of a katalan too most as the French cream - to the bryula, but nevertheless between these two improbable desserts is tiny distinctions. For example, caramel cream is cooked on a water bath and usually served warm, and here Catalan cream is always served cold and it Custard is done of a dried peel of a lemon and cinnamon, but not of vanilla therefore taste turns out fresh, than at the French dessert.
I like both desserts, I love vanilla, but in hot summer day to be compared nothing from cream of a katalan in Barcelona!
Gambas ajillo - shrimps with garlic
As a rule, I treat seafood frostily, but believe me, Gambas ajillo in Spain are simply magnificent! It is unimportant whether they are served in quality tapas or as a main course, shrimps with garlic prepare very quickly and simply: take several fresh shrimps, prepare them with a small amount of olive oil with garlic and flakes of Chile and approximately in 10 minutes you on a table will have one of the most tasty dishes. Buen provecho! (Bon appetit!;))
Keso Manchego - the Spanish cheese from sheep milk
Keso Manchego, also calls it Don Quixote's Cheese as Cervantes mentioned it in the legendary work "Don Quixote Lamanchsky". It is very tasty cheese from sheep milk. Original Keso Manchego cook only in La-Mantcha's province from special breed of sheep which is called "Manchega", but it is possible to taste cheese across all Spain.
I was lucky to try it in Madrid and I can tell that its bright aroma made an impression on me from first seconds. How thrilling!
Aioli
I always considered that aioli is the Spanish mayonnaise with a large number of garlic. Actually aioli not of Spanish, not French and even not the Italian origin. According to James Oliver, and I have no other options except how to believe him, initially aioli appeared in the Middle East.
Anyway, for the first time I tried it in Spain and for me it is the Spanish sauce, fascinating and artful).
The recipe of aioli is very simple, and it has to be easy to prepare it. Well, it not so, at least, not for me. That is why I prefer to eat it in Spain with anything: tortilla, the fish baked by potato, with anything, only not with sweet. Spain as I miss!
Iberiko's jamón in Madrid
In Spain most of all to me chock-full long bar counters on which on top instead of chandeliers huge pieces of jamón were suspended were fallen in love. At first sight it seems surprising, and after original and lovely. It was simply remarkable to drink while the bartender cut off for me a piece of improbable ham. Tremendous experience in Spain which each tourist shall endure!
Fish grill on the beach Marbella
If you spend a vacation in Marbella, or somewhere in Andalusia, or Costa-del-Sol, surely try fish grill on the beach.
Be not too lazy to find restaurant; on the Andalusian beaches there are original boats filled with sand, there fishermen with own hand cook the most delightful sardines on hot coals. The tasty, healthy and cheap food, is ideal for hot summer day on the beach!
At last, I have to mention that any my meal in Spain, in any part of the country or on any of its islands, began by tradition with bread (fried or not, white or black), bowls of green marinated olives (sometimes are served together with marinated onions), and known for all aioli (it is sometimes replaced with oil).
I hope that my post will help to add a piquancy to your rest in Spain!