I'm going to be honest. When I was younger I always thought that Spanish food was everything Mexican. I'm talkin' burritos, tacos, nachos, the whole bit. But as I got older I became very aware of the different types of food in the different cultures. For example, Mexican food is very different from Spanish food and the food in Ecuador is different than the food in Cuba. So of course when I realized Taco Bell was a joke and Hacienda ("Mexican" restaurant in my area back at home) was anything but authentic, imagine how deprived I felt. After all these years! I thought I knew how to spot out a great authentic restaurant but little did I know, I knew next to nothing.
I guess it was good that I went through that time of false know-it-allism because now when I think of Spanish food I think of paella, pork, seafood, a wide range of salads, bread, and more. When asked about food in Spain, I actually feel kind of knowledgeable. However there is still much to learn, there always is. For example, the names of the foods are still a bit of a challenge, simply because I am still learning the language and the meanings of words.
I absolutly love everything about food (making, creating, and tasting) so to have a true knowledge of it's origins and significance in a certain culture, means a great deal to me. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying I am a pro when it comes to food but my love for it is hard to match.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Can't wait for more Spanish food!
I've never been to Spain before (or anywhere in Europe), so I don't have much experience with all of the interesting food here, but I consider myself to be an adventurous eater for the most part. When I think of Spanish food, I think of what people in the US would tell me about when I told them I'd be going to Spain this summer: paella. My roommate for the past two years also told me I had to try some good paella while in Spain since she went on a trip to Spain during high school. Aside from paella, I think of seafood in general. I don't eat much seafood back home (though I do love calamari), but I'm looking forward to broadening my horizons here and trying lots of interesting fish and other mariscos.
I thought it was totally interesting to learn about the different types of meats and I can't believe we get the chance to try some food you can't really find anywhere else (except Zingerman's for $200/lb, wow!!). I think just in the first day, my idea of Spanish food changed a decent amount. I know I learned a lot (including some useful vocabulary). I also really enjoyed trying tapas for the first time. I don't remember what the name of what I had was, but it was quite delicious. I also really enjoyed the sangria. Thanks a bunch, Andy!
This class is probably one of the coolest and most unique classes I've taken so far. What could be better than checking out the food scene in Spain with some great company? I can't wait to learn more and to try more, too!
I thought it was totally interesting to learn about the different types of meats and I can't believe we get the chance to try some food you can't really find anywhere else (except Zingerman's for $200/lb, wow!!). I think just in the first day, my idea of Spanish food changed a decent amount. I know I learned a lot (including some useful vocabulary). I also really enjoyed trying tapas for the first time. I don't remember what the name of what I had was, but it was quite delicious. I also really enjoyed the sangria. Thanks a bunch, Andy!
This class is probably one of the coolest and most unique classes I've taken so far. What could be better than checking out the food scene in Spain with some great company? I can't wait to learn more and to try more, too!
Comida, Comida, Comida
The last time I was in Spain, I unfortunately got really sick and therefore didn't eat very much at all. The only food I was able to try was paella, so it's always the first (and to be honest, only) thing I think of when I think Spanish food. I was hoping that this trip would help me expand my repertoire, and I'm sure that taking this practicum will make sure of that.
I'm also hoping that taking this practicum will help me expand my general food knowledge. I knew nothing about the cured meats we looked at during the in-class activity, so it makes me really happy that I'll be able to try some of them while here (and without having to pay $200!)
The tapas I tried today (thanks again, Andy!) were croquetas, which were fried on the outside and had potatoes and meat on the inside. They were delicious, but deceptively hot, which resulted in me burning the roof of my mouth pretty bad. I guess I'll try to tone down my excitement to eat next time!
I'm also hoping that taking this practicum will help me expand my general food knowledge. I knew nothing about the cured meats we looked at during the in-class activity, so it makes me really happy that I'll be able to try some of them while here (and without having to pay $200!)
The tapas I tried today (thanks again, Andy!) were croquetas, which were fried on the outside and had potatoes and meat on the inside. They were delicious, but deceptively hot, which resulted in me burning the roof of my mouth pretty bad. I guess I'll try to tone down my excitement to eat next time!
Spanish Food
When I think of Spanish food, the first thing that comes to mind is paella and tapas. While paella originated in Valencia, I've come to the understanding that it's a common and popular dish throughout all of Spain. I'm looking forward to trying as many varieties of paella as I possibly can, especially ones including seafood! I eat a decent amount of seafood at home and I can't wait to take advantage of the exquisite variety of seafood available here. I don't care if it has ten legs or is covered in tentacles, if it's edible, I'll try it!
When I think of Spanish food, I also think of jamón ibérico. I've never had the opportunity to try any, but I cannot wait for the opportunity here! Today I learned that pork is the primary meat consumed here, which makes sense when I think of how famous Spain is for its ham. Something I didn't know, however, was that chicken is very rare. I think I took the availability and widespread consumption of chicken in the United States for granted, so I was surprised to learn how rare it is here.
Tapas, of course, are also one of the major food "attractions" of Spain. That brings me to my first tapas experience! Andy was very generous and offered to take our class out for tapas this afternoon. We went to Bambú, a fantastic little place that I'm sure I never would have found on my own (Thanks Andy!). My tapa consisted of a toasted piece of bread with a huge piece of cheese and what I believe were caramelized onions and a sweet tomato sauce. ¡Delicioso! To go with it, I had a glass of Sangria- very refreshing. I think the invention of the concept of "buy a drink, get a tapa" has to be one of the best ever. I know I'll be taking advantage of that during my 6 weeks here!
I've also made a habit of taking a picture of everything that I eat while in a foreign country- so look for awesome food pictures coming up throughout the rest of my blog!!
¡Hasta pronto!
Sarah
When I think of Spanish food, I also think of jamón ibérico. I've never had the opportunity to try any, but I cannot wait for the opportunity here! Today I learned that pork is the primary meat consumed here, which makes sense when I think of how famous Spain is for its ham. Something I didn't know, however, was that chicken is very rare. I think I took the availability and widespread consumption of chicken in the United States for granted, so I was surprised to learn how rare it is here.
Tapas, of course, are also one of the major food "attractions" of Spain. That brings me to my first tapas experience! Andy was very generous and offered to take our class out for tapas this afternoon. We went to Bambú, a fantastic little place that I'm sure I never would have found on my own (Thanks Andy!). My tapa consisted of a toasted piece of bread with a huge piece of cheese and what I believe were caramelized onions and a sweet tomato sauce. ¡Delicioso! To go with it, I had a glass of Sangria- very refreshing. I think the invention of the concept of "buy a drink, get a tapa" has to be one of the best ever. I know I'll be taking advantage of that during my 6 weeks here!
I've also made a habit of taking a picture of everything that I eat while in a foreign country- so look for awesome food pictures coming up throughout the rest of my blog!!
¡Hasta pronto!
Sarah
Percebes, watch out!
When I think about Spanish food, the first thing that comes to mind is seafood - fresh seafood! I’m a huge lover of anything (edible) under the sea – squid, octopus, lobster: you name it, I eat it. This became a catalyst for choosing to enroll in “A Foodie’s Guide to Spain”; seafood is a speciality of Spanish cuisine, and my taste buds and I are very excited to see what the Spanish coast has to offer (percebes, watch out!).
Andy was gracious enough to treat our class to a round of tapas after our first day. We went to a fantastic little restaurant called Bambú, which had a huge variety of tapas on display in glass cases on the bar. With a cold glass of white wine in hand, I enjoyed my very first tapa – a petite concoction of bread, tuna, lettuce, tomatoes, and potatoes. ¡Que deliciosa era! I’ve only been in Spain for one day and I believe tapas may very well be Spain’s greatest food invention (besides the siesta) – order a drink, get free food!
Mi primer tapa
I can already tell that keeping things in moderation will be tricky on this trip (forgoing a huge cone of chocolate gelato on my walk home was not fun) but I’m so excited to try anything and everything that comes my way in Salamanca.
¡Buen provecho!
- Allie
Spanish Food: A Beginning
Having only been in Spain for just 2 days, I'm surprised by all of the unfamiliar foods I've already encountered. Prior to boarding the plane and making my seemingly endless journey to Salamanca, I was under the impression that Spanish food culture revolved primarily around seafood, being that the country is surrounded by water, and it appears that my presumption was correct - out of the three meals I've eaten here thus far, two of them have included seafood, and I'm all over that.
Back in the U.S. I've been following a pescatarian diet for just over a year and a half now, so I'm all about the seafood. I did make the decision, however, to allow myself to eat meat while I'm in Spain for these six short weeks in order to fully embrace and experience the culture. After our first Foodie's Guide to Spain class today, I'm pretty sure I made the right decision. The impression I have after leaving that class is that Spain is all about pork. Pork, pork, pork. I wasn't wrong in my assumption about seafood though; in fact, it looks like I'll have the opportunity to try a lot of things I'm not even familiar with!
Something that colored me quite pleased today was the generosity of our professor. It's our first day of class, and he took all of us out one of his favorite local spots and bought us all a drink and a "tapa" - thank you so much! I got a Tinto de Verano to drink, which is a combination of wine and lemon soda, and what I'm pretty sure was a Spanish tortilla covered in fresh vegetables. It was amazing, and just a start to my food journey!
Overall, I'm looking forward to strengthening my understanding of and experiencing local Spanish food. I have an open-mind, and, now that I'm on a hiatus from my pescatrian diet, I'm free to consume whatever it throws at me. As Andrew Zimmern says, "I believe the best way to experience a culture is through its food," something I plan to live by while here in Spain. We're all so fortunate to have this wonderful experience ahead of us, and I cannot wait to get the ball rolling! Spain, I'm hope you're ready for me... and my stomach (^_-)
Back in the U.S. I've been following a pescatarian diet for just over a year and a half now, so I'm all about the seafood. I did make the decision, however, to allow myself to eat meat while I'm in Spain for these six short weeks in order to fully embrace and experience the culture. After our first Foodie's Guide to Spain class today, I'm pretty sure I made the right decision. The impression I have after leaving that class is that Spain is all about pork. Pork, pork, pork. I wasn't wrong in my assumption about seafood though; in fact, it looks like I'll have the opportunity to try a lot of things I'm not even familiar with!
Something that colored me quite pleased today was the generosity of our professor. It's our first day of class, and he took all of us out one of his favorite local spots and bought us all a drink and a "tapa" - thank you so much! I got a Tinto de Verano to drink, which is a combination of wine and lemon soda, and what I'm pretty sure was a Spanish tortilla covered in fresh vegetables. It was amazing, and just a start to my food journey!
Overall, I'm looking forward to strengthening my understanding of and experiencing local Spanish food. I have an open-mind, and, now that I'm on a hiatus from my pescatrian diet, I'm free to consume whatever it throws at me. As Andrew Zimmern says, "I believe the best way to experience a culture is through its food," something I plan to live by while here in Spain. We're all so fortunate to have this wonderful experience ahead of us, and I cannot wait to get the ball rolling! Spain, I'm hope you're ready for me... and my stomach (^_-)
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Counting the days
Within the week, I will be back in Salamanca. As you may already know, the town has a wonderful tapas scene (perhaps the most popular area being Calle Van Dyck) offering bbq ribs, suckling pig, croquetas, pincho moruno, cheese and cured ham (just to name a few). With all of this great food in mind, here are three of my favorite places to grab a quick bite to eat:
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