Spanish Cuisine

Spanish cuisine is one of the most vibrant, diverse, and flavorful in the world. It emphasizes fresh, seasonal ingredients, simple techniques, and bold flavors — often shared in small plates and social settings.

Here’s a quick guide to Spanish cuisine, including key dishes, ingredients, and regional highlights.

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🇪🇸 Overview of Spanish Cuisine

🌿 Key Ingredients:

• Olive oil (used generously — Spain is the world’s largest producer)

• Garlic & onions

• Paprika (pimentón) — sweet, hot, or smoked

• Tomatoes

• Seafood (especially along the coasts)

• Cured meats like jamón ibérico and chorizo

• Saffron — essential for paella

• Legumes (chickpeas, lentils, beans)

• Bread — served with most meals

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🍽️ Famous Spanish Dishes

🥘 1. Paella

• Spain’s most iconic dish, originally from Valencia.

• Traditional versions:

  • Paella Valenciana (rabbit, chicken, green beans, saffron)

  • Seafood Paella (shrimp, mussels, squid)

  • Vegetarian Paella (artichokes, peppers, beans)

🍳 2. Tortilla Española (Spanish Omelette)

• Thick potato and egg omelette, often with onions.

• Served hot or cold, as tapas or a main dish.

🍅 3. Pan con Tomate

• Toasted bread rubbed with garlic and ripe tomatoes, drizzled with olive oil and sea salt.

🧀 4. Tapas

• Small plates meant for sharing.

• Popular tapas include:

  • Patatas bravas (crispy potatoes with spicy tomato sauce)

  • Gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp)

  • Croquetas (creamy croquettes filled with ham or cod)

  • Albóndigas (meatballs in tomato sauce)

  • Aceitunas (marinated olives)

🐷 5. Jamón Ibérico

• Dry-cured ham from free-range Iberian pigs.

• Often served thinly sliced with bread or cheese.

🥖 6. Bocadillos

• Spanish sandwiches on crusty bread, filled with omelet, ham, cheese, or calamari.

🧆 7. Fabada Asturiana

• Rich bean stew from Asturias with chorizo, blood sausage, and pork belly.

🍲 8. Gazpacho & Salmorejo

• Gazpacho: cold tomato-based soup with cucumber, garlic, olive oil — refreshing in summer.

• Salmorejo: thicker version with bread blended in; often topped with ham and egg.

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🍮 Desserts:

• Churros con chocolate – fried dough sticks dipped in thick hot chocolate.

• Flan – caramel custard.

• Tarta de Santiago – almond cake from Galicia, often dusted with a cross of St. James.

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🍷 Drinks:

• Sangria – red wine with fruit and brandy.

• Tinto de verano – red wine with lemon soda.

• Cava – sparkling wine from Catalonia.

• Sherry (Jerez) – fortified wine from Andalusia.

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🗺️ Regional Highlights:

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🔥 Want a Recipe?

Let me know if you want to make something like:

• Authentic seafood paella

• Classic patatas bravas

• Easy Spanish tortilla

• Sweet churros with chocolate

• Or a full Spanish tapas night menu

I’d be happy to write one out for you!