Spanish cuisine is one of the Mediterranean cuisines I love so much but every recipe is pretty much based around 2 ingredients that are found in just about every home in the world – olive oil and garlic. It’s what you add to them that gives you a definitive Spanish flavour. A little bit spicy, a little bit smokey, full of seasonal ingredients and each region within Spain has it’s own favourite dishes. I want to share some easy Spanish recipes to make at home plus typical pantry staples you need to recreate some of these dishes.
The siesta, an afternoon nap, is still very much a part of the Spanish lifestyle so some people don’t eat until late at night. That’s when tapas is a great way to get a few small bites of delicious food, which the Spanish are renown for. You can find over 40 recipes here.
Some of the ingredients you’ll need to produce Spanish food at home can be found in most kitchens already and are readily available at most supermarkets. Check out the following for inspiration.
Meat & Protein:
- Beef, pork and pork products, chicken, seafood, fish, lamb, goat, rabbit, game, eggs, chickpeas, legumes/beans
Herbs & Spices:
- Saffron, bay leaf, garlic, rosemary, cayenne pepper, oregano, parsley, paprika (different varieties available), fennel, parsley, mint, coriander (cilantro), black pepper
Fruit & Vegetables:
- Tomatoes, asparagus, artichokes, potatoes, variety of peppers, peaches, mandarins, apricots, pears, mango, papaya, eggplant, zucchini, nuts, onions, garlic
Pantry Staples
- Olive oil, sherry vinegar, Jamón ibérico (cured salted ham), rice, bread, cheese (like Manchego), quince paste, anchovies, tomato paste, tinned tomatoes, chocolate
Recipes
Tortilla Española (Spanish Omelette)
Patatas Bravas (Spicy Spanish Potatoes)
Bunuelos de bacalao (Salt cod fritters)
Aracena Chicken & Chickpea Stew
Fried Fresh Sardines with Aioli
Huevos a la Flamenco (Flamenco eggs)
Iberico Ham & Manchego Cheese Empanadas
Baked Spanish Paprika Chicken & Tomatoes
Churros with Chocolate Custard Sauce
