In Spanish, “A la Navarra” means “with tomatoes.” Navarre, a region of Spain, is the largest tomato-producing area in Spain. A classic trout dish, “Truchas a la navarra” (“Navarre-style trout”) is a whole trout that is cleaned, stuffed with a slice of Spanish air-cured ham, floured, pan-fried and served on a bed of tomatoes and…
A la Riojana means “in the style of Rioja.” Rioja is a region in northeastern Spain. In food terms, this often means with red peppers (pimentos, not hot chiles) and / or paprika. The dish will often include chorizo or ham or some form of pork as well. Lamb Cutlets a la Riojana have red…
Aioli is a thick creamy garlic sauce used in the cooking of Provence, France, and of Catalonia in Spain. It is usually served on the side at room temperature. It is often compared to mayonnaise in its texture, but it is not actual mayonnaise. It is mainly served with cold or hot boiled fish. It…
This is a Spanish style of preserving and selling olives, rather than an actual “botanical” variety of olive. It’s a jar of green olives and capers mixed together. Sometimes the olives may be stuffed with pimiento as well. The olives aren’t necessarily always pitted, though of course they will be if they have been stuffed….
This is a Spanish style of preserving and selling olives, rather than an actual “botanical” variety of olive. It’s a jar of green olives and capers mixed together. Sometimes the olives may be stuffed with pimiento as well. The olives aren’t necessarily always pitted, though of course they will be if they have been stuffed….
Andalusia Day, (“Día de Andalucía”) is a modern holiday celebrated in the Andalusia region on the southern coast of Spain each year on the 28th of February. Many things that are seen as being Spanish — such as flamenco dancing, bullfighting, and gazpacho — are actually from Andalusia. The day commemorates the passing of a…
Arbequina Olives are very small and oval. The trees are small but frost hardy. The trees can be planted very densely, but are hard to harvest with mechanical means because the small olives cling tightly to the branches. They can pollinate themselves. The olives mature in mid-November. The olives are used both for oil and…
Arbosana Olive trees start producing olives after two years, and reach full fruiting in five years. The olives are small, but with a good oil yield of 19 to 20%. The oil has a pungent, fruity taste. It is often blended into oils from other olives to improve their taste and aroma. The trees can…
Bizcocho Borracho is a Spanish dessert. Ladyfinger cookies are soaked in espresso and either brandy or rum, then laid out in layers with custard and bitter chocolate between the layers. Instead of custard, you may also find sweetened mascarpone cheese. Bizcocho Borracho is generally layered to a height of about 2 1/2 to 3 inches…
Bomba and Calasparra rice are types of paella rice. They are grown around the town of Calasparra, in Spain in the Murcia mountains neighbouring Valencia. The rice is grown along the Segura River, which brings cold water from the top of the mountains. The water passes through the paddies; its coldness slows the growth of…
Boquerones are unsalted anchovies (a fish) cured in vinegar. ” Anchovies” are the same fish preserved in salt. Boquerones are tender, white and juicy, and have a milder, more delicate flavour than processed anchovies usually do, missing their fishy or salty taste. They are not cooked before being cured. Boquerones are packed in olive oil…
Cabrales Blue Cheese is made in four villages, including one called Cabrales, in the Eastern Asturias region of North West Spain, at the northern point of Picos de Europa in a township called Peñamellera Alta. It is a mix of raw milk from cows, goats and sheep, though milk mostly comes from cows as goat…
This is a special way of growing onions that is practised in the Valls district of Catalonia, Spain — two hours to the south-west of Barcelona. Fully grown white onion bulbs are planted in the fall, let grow for a few months, then gathered and stored. They are then replanted the next fall. They sit…
Caña de Lomo are cured pork loin sausages made from Iberian pigs. [1] The sausages are relatively dark red, with white streaks of fat, and with a typical weight between 31 to 35 oz (900g to 1 kg.) To make them, salt and flavourings such as garlic, oregano, lemon and paprika are mixed together and…
Spanish Chorizo © Denzil Green Chorizo is a Spanish sausage that is hard like pepperoni, but the ingredients in it are more coarsely processed. It has a very pronounced, hearty, spicy flavour. It is usually made from the shoulder meat and the fat from a pig, aiming for a ratio of 70% meat, 30% fat….
Clementine Orange © Denzil Green Clementines are small, thin-skinned oranges that are very easy to eat. The skin peels off easily, and the sections inside separate with a minimum of effort. They will have few seeds and often can be seedless even, if bees are kept away from the tree’s blooms. Their size and ease…
Cocido Espanol is a Spanish version of a boiled dinner. Unlike New England boiled dinners, the broth is meant to be eaten, either as a separate course, or by serving the simmered ingredients in it, like a stew. Cocido Espanol is based on meat, beans or pulses and vegetables, but really, the main ingredient is…
Cornicabra Olives are medium-sized olives grown in Andalucia, Spain both for oil and for making black table olives out of. The olives have an average oil yield of 23%. The oil produced from them is dense and fruity. Language Notes “Cornicabra” means “goat’s horn” in Spanish.
Crema Calatana is a version of Crème Brulée made in the Catalonia area of Spain. The custard is flavoured with peel from citrus fruit.
This is the Spanish equivalent of the French AOC and the Italian DOC certifications. In Spanish it is called “Denominación de Origen”, or simply referred to as “DO.” It is administered in Spain by the Instituto Nacional de Denominaciones de Origen (INDO.) Like the Italian DOC, there are two levels: DO: Denominación de Origen (the…
An Empanada Gallega is a Spanish meat pie, made large enough to feed several people as a main course. It can be square or round. It is served in slices, like a pie. The crust was made at first with bread dough. Now, a purpose-made yeast-risen dough is used. The pie has a top crust…
These are medium-sized olives that will yield anywhere from 19 to 27% oil. The oil is considered good quality and to be of good flavour, with no bitterness. The colour of the oil will range from pale yellow to gold. Empeltre Olives are also used for table olives. When being harvested for table use, they…
Ensaimada is a bread made from sweetened, yeast-risen dough, (like a sort of brioche) made in Spain, and in the Philippines. Per loaf, you use about 1 cup (8 oz / 225 g) of butter, 3/4 cup (6 oz / 175 g) of sugar and 8 egg yolks. You make a creamed mixture, then add…
Flan, as made in Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries is a milk-based sweet custard topped with caramel sauce. This is sometimes referred to by English speakers as a “leche flan” (“milk flan”).
