catalonia cuisine
Eating in Barcelona
Barcelona has a lot of dining options that magnifies the effect of multi-cultural influences on food and flavors. In fact, there is so much variety and must-have Barcelona food items that you can come here just to enjoy a culinary tour. One reason why Barcelona is engorged with ex-pats and foreigners is their liking towards the food of Barcelona, especially that of Catalonia and food. Experimental cuisines, sushi and foam for food, Barcelona is the perfect place to savor some incredible taste.
It is important to make some research before traveling to Barcelona by creating a list of restaurants which have good reviews. You can find some of these restaurants on various travelers that sites. You can also check national newspapers like the New York Times and find out the specialties of the place, especially Catalonia. Items like paella, churros, patatas bravas, chocolat con, squid and sangria are some big ticket items.
In case you know how to speak in Catalan or Spanish, you can place your order with a lot of ease, but even if you don’t, there are many restaurants in the area, especially those frequented by tourists which have a staff that speak in English. However, rural areas may not have restaurants with English fluency. Catalan, being the national language of the place will most probably be the only language on menus but in Barcelona almost everyone speaks both Spanish and catalan. Read the rest of this entry »
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The Culinary Character of Catalonia
Barcelona’s gastronomy has influences from many different cultures who have lived in or conquered the city over the centuries: Italian, French, Greek, Provençal, Arab and Jewish.
Fresh and local produce is always preferred and if you are preparing a meal at home then you must visit La Boqueria Market, an institution in Barcelona, where you can buy all the freshest local ingredients to prepare a typical Catalonian dish, with the main ingredients in Catalonian cuisine being Olive oil, vegetables, pork and fish.
So what are these dishes that cause such a stir for visitors to the city or to the beautiful Costa Brava or Catalonian countryside?
Always top of the list of favourite dishes, is Pa Amb Tomà quet, the simplest dish you can imagine of bread (toasting is optional) with tomato rubbed over it and seasoned with olive oil and salt; it can be accompanied by ham, cheese, anchovies or cured meats and sausage, but tastes just as good on its own and makes for a delicious breakfast or starter.
Canelons a la Catalana or Catalan Canneloni is a Catalonian dish, traditionally served on St Esteve Day, the day after Christmas. The dish is prepared with dried cannelloni, Serrano ham, chicken, pork and chicken livers and also includes Vi Ranci, a sherry-like fortified wine, which literally translates to Rancid Wine, but don’t worry, when applied to wines, it also, thankfully, means aged or mellow!
The Catalan iconic stew Escudella i carn d’olla is the perfect remedy for a chilly winter’s day in the city. The dish originated more than a 1000 years ago as a farmers dish, where everything that was available was thrown into the pot and boiled together. Read the rest of this entry »
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Food in Spain – Why Spain is a Top Foodie Destination
I first discovered Spanish food at a tapas bar in New York City and fell in love instantly, since then I had wanted to travel to Spain and experience the real thing.
I finally had the chance to visit Barcelona, the main goal of the trip was to experience the many tapas bars and excellent food and culture. I was not disappointed and intend to visit again in the coming years for the same reason – the food!
I greatly enjoyed the country, its people and lifestyle and can see myself living there, shopping in the markets and cooking with the most amazing ingredients – specifically fresh seafood and pork products.
Spain has many different personalities and flavor profiles from Andalucia to Galicia to Catalonia and everything in between – every part of Spain has its own food specialties and traditions. I prefer the more traditional Spanish dishes and way of eating for example roast baby pig and pintxos/tapas mainly because you can taste the history, culture and soul of the country. Tapas is a very social way of eating with no ‘rules’ that you must first have your salad then entree then dessert in that order – you can enjoy whatever you like and as much as you like, you’re not limited to only one or two things which keeps the eater from becoming bored and allows one to easily try new things. In my experience, Spanish cuisine in general whether traditional or modern is always prepared with passion and a sense of pride and respect for both the country and the ingredients – Spanish cooks don’t just want to feed your hunger but they want to touch your soul and seduce your mind! In Spain, eating is not just something one does out of a need to survive, it is an experience and a way to connect and relate to those who prepare the food and those you are sharing your meal with. Read the rest of this entry »
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