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Spanish TapasThis section is dedicated to food, as in eating out, as in Spanish tapas. Note the emphasis on the term: Spanish tapas. Not just because the work tapas is Spanish, but because it evokes a different genre in eating experience than most others.See the restaurant page under Services for other aspects of eating out here in Spain.
When you vacation in Spain, and it’s close to lunch-time, hunger pangs notwithstanding, any ideas as to what to order? I remember my first taste in Spain many vacations ago. It was in Majorca, in a packed restaurant. On the counter were steaming platters of tempting delicious food on offer. We had no idea what to order. The owner had a suggestion: one platter of mixed fish and another platter of mixed meat. And we were hooked. Firstly we love food, and secondly we were more than a little hungry. Delicious morsels of food, washed down with any drink you like; beers, wine, sidra, and lots of animated conversation ...and can we have some more please? I would be tempted to try the tempting array on offer at most bars, cafeterias, eateries. The reason? When you're on vacation in a different country, and the food terms are not that familiar, a tapas is a good way to try something new without breaking the bank, and more often than not, you can see what it looks like before ordering it. It does help to know a few of the ingredient terms. For example, conejo is rabbit, and it is popularly served looking like a small stew. The gastronomic heart of Spanish Basque country in the North of Spain have their own version of are tapas called pintxos. They are more sauce-based and they’re often served on bread. Sometimes the pintxos in question the creative forces manage to fit more tastes in a teaspoon than most restaurants put on a platter. Pintxos are so elaborate and yet so simple, balancing elements in a single bite. Luckily, we have a few chain-outlets that do pintxos here in Alicante, and they are delicious! Here's a photo of plate being delivered to the table:
Did you know that there are tapas competitions? And, it's taken very seriously by the Spanish. All to the good for a traveller with a taste for a new Spanish gastronomic delight. The competitions are usually organized by town and run anywhere from a week to two months. Even our local bar-restaurants offer exquisite variations, the delectable taste of seafood, or succulent meaty morsels during the special promotion, with each participating chef offering a special creation, usually at a bargain price. However, after you try some tapas or pintxos, you start to think 'these can't be that hard to make at home'. So, when in Spain, do as the Spanish do (apologies to Romans); as in make your own. So I did. Here are two recipes I've created for you to try:
There is more than meets the eye, with a lot of food. But, you can so easily create foods that you bring back from vacations, especially ideas from Spain. Especially Spanish tapas. All it needs is a spark of invention, some ideas, innovation, and.. voila! You're there. Enjoy! Buen Provecho! . |
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