I found it a very interesting and rewarding experience to speak with Rosa about grocery shopping and food preparation. I liked talking to her about how things are different or similar in America. When I asked Rosa where she does her shopping, she told me that she goes to the mercado for fruit and fish and gets her carne at la carnecería. Sometimes at home, I go grocery shopping at several places, but usually I make one quick stop at Meijer. I guess when you have so many fresh choices here, you have to make several stops to find the best!
Rosa said she usually goes shopping about once a week, and always has an idea of what she is going to get beforehand. Sometimes she will make a list. I like to do this too, so I don't forget anything on my trips. Rosa said that she has noted a rise in the prices, mostly in the fruit and the fish.
Usually Rosa doesn't really know what she's going to make very far in advance. She said she'll usually think about it the day before or the day of, but she likes to make something different each day. Most of the time, it takes about un medio hora to prepare a meal, and that she doesn't find this excessive, but she said it depends on what she is making, so sometimes it may take a bit longer or shorter. When I asked Rosa what her favorite dishes were, she had a hard time deciding because she enjoys mostly everything, but her top choices included paella and ensaladía.
I asked Rosa if she eats chicken often, like we do in the United States and she said that it is common, but ternera and cerdo are probably more common. I also asked her if she knew what pancakes or bagels were and she said no. I tried to explain them (it was kind of difficult), but she told me that almost every American student she has had asked about pancakes! Maybe I will make some for her at some point. I also tried to explain to her what hummus is, since it's one of my favorite foods. I told her it was a product of garbanzo beans and she was familiar with that.
Overall, I have enjoyed learning a lot about Spanish food and having the chance to try some good homemade dishes made by Rosa. She always wants to make sure that I am enjoying what I'm eating and that I have plenty. It's definitely apparent the work that she puts into making a good meal and I am very appreciative for it all.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Tapas, tapas, tapas!
Not to sound corny, but going out for tapas the other night was definitely an experience I will never forget. As a class we went to four different tapas restaurants, and then continued on to other bars throughout the night. Each tapa place was distinct; however every one of them was incredibly good.
The best tapa I had all night is definitely la lengua. Although it did taste quite good, it gets the title of best tapa because it was definitely the most adventurous tapa I had all night. The tongue was is a sort of stew of fantastic juices and vegetables. It tasted quite a lot like beef tenderloin, with a soft texture. It wasn’t chewy, but more like something you would put in a soup. Mostly importantly it was different than anything I had tried in the US, which made it very fun. To add to the experience, today we went to a Mercado where I was able to see an uncut fresh tongue. It was definitely a little scarier when you see it raw, so I’m glad I tried it before going to the market.
It is next to impossible to call any of the tapas bad, however if I had to pick my least favorite it would be the pork sandwich I had at the second tapa restaurant. The sandwich was still amazingly good, though not anything very distinct from food in the US. That tapa restaurant was famous for its ribs, so it would have probably been better to have ordered the ribs in the first place.
The best drink I had all night is a very close competition between the sangria and the white wine/ soda mixed drink. In the end though, I have to say the sangria was the best drink I had. It was absolutely incredible, and I don’t even normally like wine. The one other notable drink I have to mention is the acorn shot from the last bar we went to. As far as shots go, it was par none. It didn’t taste like alcohol at all, and could have been put on pancakes as syrup. If I had the opportunity to go back and try anything again, it would be that acorn shot. Andy mentioned that it was likely homemade, rather than store bought, and the taste definitely reflected that.
Finally the one thing that I would like to try next time are the croquettas. I almost ordered croquettas last night but instead I chose la lengua. Next time I go out however, I think croquettas will be the first thing on my list of foods to try. They look amazing and I can only imagine how good they taste. They are also a very common food here in Spain, and I think it is important to try as many different types of local food as possible.
The best tapa I had all night is definitely la lengua. Although it did taste quite good, it gets the title of best tapa because it was definitely the most adventurous tapa I had all night. The tongue was is a sort of stew of fantastic juices and vegetables. It tasted quite a lot like beef tenderloin, with a soft texture. It wasn’t chewy, but more like something you would put in a soup. Mostly importantly it was different than anything I had tried in the US, which made it very fun. To add to the experience, today we went to a Mercado where I was able to see an uncut fresh tongue. It was definitely a little scarier when you see it raw, so I’m glad I tried it before going to the market.
It is next to impossible to call any of the tapas bad, however if I had to pick my least favorite it would be the pork sandwich I had at the second tapa restaurant. The sandwich was still amazingly good, though not anything very distinct from food in the US. That tapa restaurant was famous for its ribs, so it would have probably been better to have ordered the ribs in the first place.
The best drink I had all night is a very close competition between the sangria and the white wine/ soda mixed drink. In the end though, I have to say the sangria was the best drink I had. It was absolutely incredible, and I don’t even normally like wine. The one other notable drink I have to mention is the acorn shot from the last bar we went to. As far as shots go, it was par none. It didn’t taste like alcohol at all, and could have been put on pancakes as syrup. If I had the opportunity to go back and try anything again, it would be that acorn shot. Andy mentioned that it was likely homemade, rather than store bought, and the taste definitely reflected that.
Finally the one thing that I would like to try next time are the croquettas. I almost ordered croquettas last night but instead I chose la lengua. Next time I go out however, I think croquettas will be the first thing on my list of foods to try. They look amazing and I can only imagine how good they taste. They are also a very common food here in Spain, and I think it is important to try as many different types of local food as possible.
Una Conversación con mi Señora
Marina was more than happy to help me with this assignment and answer my food questions. Marina's situation is a little different from most of the other señoras because she actually works as a cook for a family with children. I think I got pretty lucky in that respect because I feel like Marina really knows her way around Spanish cuisine!
Marina does her shopping at a supermercado, generally once a week on Saturdays (not counting any shopping she does for the family she works for). Although she will go more often for things such as bread and fruit, which taste better fresh. She has noticed a definite increase in prices over the recent years; according to her, "everything is very expensive." When she does do her shopping she already has in mind the things she's going to buy, but she does admit that oftentimes she'll see something in the store and then remembers that she needs that too.
For Marina, a light meal takes about 15-20 minutes to prepare. However, she stressed that the amount of time spent cooking depends greatly on what type of food she is preparing and how many people she's cooking for. Marina, like me, will eat everything so she couldn't really choose her favorite dish. Some of her favorites, however, are paella, tortilla de patata, and lomo with her special sauce that she made up herself.
Marina says that on Saturday we're going to make paella and I couldn't be more excited!!!
¡Hasta luego!
Marina does her shopping at a supermercado, generally once a week on Saturdays (not counting any shopping she does for the family she works for). Although she will go more often for things such as bread and fruit, which taste better fresh. She has noticed a definite increase in prices over the recent years; according to her, "everything is very expensive." When she does do her shopping she already has in mind the things she's going to buy, but she does admit that oftentimes she'll see something in the store and then remembers that she needs that too.
For Marina, a light meal takes about 15-20 minutes to prepare. However, she stressed that the amount of time spent cooking depends greatly on what type of food she is preparing and how many people she's cooking for. Marina, like me, will eat everything so she couldn't really choose her favorite dish. Some of her favorites, however, are paella, tortilla de patata, and lomo with her special sauce that she made up herself.
Marina says that on Saturday we're going to make paella and I couldn't be more excited!!!
¡Hasta luego!
Una entrevista con my Señora Choni
I am so glad that Andy gave us this assignment to talk with our Señoras about their kitchen and grocery shopping. It was a really fun interview and Choni (short for Ascención) loved talking about food! She works at a Tapas restaurant not far from our apartment and apparently has worked in restaurants all over Spain, even Barcelona! Here are my notes from our conversation:
Where do you shop?: En el supermercado
How many times a week do you shop?: 2 veces cada semana
Have you noticed an increase in the cost of food in recent years?: Sí, la fruta mucha.
When do you shop?: En la mañana
Do you already have an idea of what you are going to buy or make for the meals?: Sí, tengo una lista.
On a normal day, how much time does it take to make la comida?: Dos horas o una hora y media.
Finally, when I asked her what her favorite dish was, she began reeling off these delicious descriptions, here are just a few!:
-La tortilla de patata
-La paella
-Le gusta legumbres y verduras
Hasta luego!
-Katherine
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Tapas Tapas Tapas!
Tapa hopping last night was definitely a great time - delicious food, drinks, and good company – what more could you ask for! La calle Van Dyck had so many cute restaurants and man was the food good. At the first bar I ordered the hamburguesa. Not exactly your typical American hamburger. Perhaps the only similarity was the bun on which the meat was served. It lacked vegetables and ketchup and patty was ham, not beef, but it still was delicious. I also got to try some cochinillo de asada, which was probably my favorite tapa of the evening. I also had a glass of sangria, a Spanish staple and extremely refreshing!
I split the tapa con queso and the costillas at the next bar. The cheese was delicious but a little stronger than what I am used to eating back home. The ribs were very very tasty and super tender. It was interesting that they were served on a piece of bread because you had to take the meat off the bread in order to get it off the bone. I ate my tapas with a glass of tinto de verano, a drink similar to sangria but even tastier in my opinion.
At the last place we went to I was hesitant to order anything because I was already pretty full from the first two places. It’s amazing how much tapas can fill you up. But I figured I might as well try it while I’m here so I ordered the tortilla con jamón. The tortilla was a mixture of potatoes, onions, and eggs and then there was a filling of some sort with ham inside as well. Even though my stomach was full it was hard to put this dish down. I will definitely go back to this street to tapa hop again. Perhaps a little later in the evening so I can experience the crowds and converse a little with the locals! Oh and I’ll be returning to the Bar Su Casa. I’m not exactly sure the name of the street it’s on but hopefully I’ll be able to find it because that acorn liquor was muy delicioso!
Comida Española
The first thing that comes to my mind when I think of Spanish food is Tapas. The only time I really had Spanish food back in the states was at a tapas restaurant so I guess that’s really the only thing that came to my mind. Both times I went out to eat in Madrid I had tapas so I guess my idea of Spanish food wasn’t too far off. I love how many different types of tapas there are and that they are small so you can have a variety of food when you go out.
However now that I’ve spent almost a week in Spain, I’ve realized that tapas are extremely popular here but definitely not the only thing to eat. It may be the popular thing to get while going out on the town but my señora has given me a taste of real Spanish food. I’ve noticed that they do like their potatoes, eggs, and ham. I am amazed at the amount of pig that is consumed here – as well as how much of the entire pig is consumed. I have always been more of a fan of chicken and turkey but jamón has grown on me a lot this trip. They was they process their meat here is much different than in the states, but they sure know how to make it delicious!
I am also surprised by the amount of fresh fruit they have here. Almost all of my meals are polished off with fresh fruit and in the mornings I have homemade orange juice. Fruit is probably my favorite part of the meal and I love how all of the little markets have an amazing selection of fresh fruit. Another thing I have noticed is that they don’t eat as many vegetables here as I am used to – well at least not my host family. We do have some tomatoes and lettuce but usually the meals are very meat and carb based.
Mi amor de jamón y tapas
What do I think of when I think of Spanish food? Jamón, jamón y jamón. Andy has told us that we are in the epicenter for cured ham. For lack of a better word… WOW. Definitely am going to take advantage of this opportunity. Apparently the process of curing the ham takes years! It amazes me that Zingermanns will charge you $200 dollars for one pound of cured meat. I wish I could take some back with me. Here, a jamón y queso sandwich is definitely a staple.
Although before coming here I knew about the abundance of jamón, it was only yesterday that I first discovered Tapas. It is my true belief that if the entire world indulged in Tapas there would be world peace. Wars would no longer exist. There is nothing a decadent tapa and glass of sangria can’t cure. Combine this with a daily siesta?? Heaven.
Tonight the Foodie Practicum is going to “Tapas hop” a bit more. I cannot wait to continue explore the Spanish cuisine!
Katherine C.
Tapas!
Last night our class went out for tapas together on Calle Van Dyck, and we had a great time! The first tapa bar we went to was called Don Cochinillo. Most people got suckling pig there, which I heard was great, but since I'm a vegetarian, I ordered salpicon marisco, a fish tapa. It consisted of crab, onion, peppers, squid, and shrimp in a vinegar dressing, and it was very good. I'm not crazy about squid, but I enjoyed everything else in it a lot. I had this drink that was a mix of wine and sprite, but I can't remember the name of it at the moment.
At the second bar, I had queso y pan (cheese and break) and a glass of red wine. The queso was strong, but very good. Other people got blood sausage and ribs, which looked great. I really might have to try some of the meat here because it all looks incredible. When we went to the market today, we got to see people de-boning fish and preparing different types of meat. Everything looked so fresh, and I actually did want to try some of it, so we'll see if I can get myself to go back to meat for a while.
At the last place we went to, I just had a drink because I was so full from the first two dishes. It sounds ridiculous, but a few tapas really do fill you up quickly. After the third bar, we went to one more small local bar that Andy said is his favorite--I think it's called Su Casa. It was a tiny little place with a husband and wife who run it. I had another glass of red wine and a few people took chupitos (shots) of this acorn-tasting stuff that they loved. After that, we walked to the Plaza Mayor, Andy went home, and we all went to another place he recommended, a local hangout spot I guess, called Paniagua. I loved Paniagua--it had pictures of their patrons hanging all over the place, and the bartender took a picture of us for the wall. It was tiny, so we basically filled it up, and as the night went on, more and more locals and other foreign students showed up. Over all, I think the salpicon marisco was my favorite tapa, and I'd like to try some meat here in the near future. I'm in Spain, so I should step out of my comfort zone. I have to say that over all it was a great night complete with delicious tapas!
When I think Spanish food...
So, since I don't have internet at my house, this is the first time I've been able to post on here. Spanish food...I guess a few days ago I would've said that I think rice and beans when I think Spanish food, but after eating a few meals here, I've realized I was wrong. First of all, everything I've had to eat here has been delicious! I can't think of a meal I haven't enjoyed. I did have to take apart my shrimp to eat it yesterday for lunch, but luckily since Andy warned us about that, I wasn't too surprised. I snapped off the head and tail and peeled each shrimp--of course, I had to have my senora show me how to do it first.
I've had a lot of tortilla espanola, especially out at the tapas bars, and I have to say that's my favorite food here so far. I realized that they like to use a lot of potatoes and eggs here. I'm a vegetarian (but I do eat fish), and luckily my senora knew this ahead of time from one of my forms, so she's been cooking me delicious fish all week. Each meal she makes usually includes fish (meat for her), salad or some type of vegetable, bread, and fruit or ice cream for dessert. I've also tried a bit of cured ham at a bar two nights ago, and I have to say I did enjoy it, even though I haven't eaten meat in about 3 years. I'm debating about trying to ease my way into eating meat again, but so far I've only had that tiny bit of ham. I did try crab last night, which I've never had before, in one of my tapas, and it was great. Basically, my expectations for food here were far exceeded: I was expecting good food, but everything I've eaten has been incredible!
¡Tapas!
Last night I had my first "tapas hopping" experience and it was amazing!! The first place's specialty was cochinillo asado, so of course I had to try that. And it was delicious! The pork was so tender and the skin was flavorful and crunchy. In the spirit of España, I had sangria to go with it. At the first place I also had the opportunity to try patatas con alioli sauce. The alioli sauce was creamy and the perfect combo of olive oil and garlic. I hope I have the opportunity to try a homemade alioli sauce while I'm here!
At the second place, I decided to try sheep cheese. I thought it would be similar to goat cheese, but it was harder. I loved that too!! This time I had a tinto de verano to drink. This combination of red wine and sparkling lemonade is so refreshing and it's obvious why it's a summer drink. Tinto de verano was my favorite drink of the night.
At the third place I finally go to try jamón ibérico! Since Spain is famous for jamón ibérico, as soon as I saw it on the menu I knew I had to try it. It is similar to prosciutto, only thicker and with a stronger ham flavor (at least that's what I thought).
The jamón ibérico and the patatas con alioli sauce tied for my favorite tapas of the night!! I don't think it's possible to name a least favorite. I would definitely order all of these dishes again (and probably will!). The next time I go out for tapas I definitely want to try more seafood. I love seafood and I'm excited to taste the different varieties that Spain has to offer!
At the second place, I decided to try sheep cheese. I thought it would be similar to goat cheese, but it was harder. I loved that too!! This time I had a tinto de verano to drink. This combination of red wine and sparkling lemonade is so refreshing and it's obvious why it's a summer drink. Tinto de verano was my favorite drink of the night.
At the third place I finally go to try jamón ibérico! Since Spain is famous for jamón ibérico, as soon as I saw it on the menu I knew I had to try it. It is similar to prosciutto, only thicker and with a stronger ham flavor (at least that's what I thought).
The jamón ibérico and the patatas con alioli sauce tied for my favorite tapas of the night!! I don't think it's possible to name a least favorite. I would definitely order all of these dishes again (and probably will!). The next time I go out for tapas I definitely want to try more seafood. I love seafood and I'm excited to taste the different varieties that Spain has to offer!
A conversation with Señora
After we got home from our market excursion today, I thought it'd be a fitting time to ask my señora about her shopping habits and generally how it's done in Spain. She told me that she goes shopping about 2-3 times a week, but that it changes depending on the season. For example, in the summer, fruit won't keep as long, so she has to buy it more often.
She always buys fruit from a frutería, fish from a pescadería, and meat from a carnecería, preferring to only go to the supermercado for cleaning supplies and such. When I asked her if she'd noticed food prices going up, she responded with, "¡Muchísimo!" and told me that it wasn't just food (in particular oil and meat) but also many other types of goods as well. I wish I knew more about food costs in the US so that I could have made a comparison, but I guess that's something I'll have to ask my grandma or mom about when I get home (yes, I realize that I sound like a spoiled child.)
When she goes shopping, she always has a general idea of what she wants to make, but the time she spends each day cooking really depends on the dish. Sometimes she says she can whip something together in five minutes, but more complicated dishes obviously take more time. When I asked what her favorite dish was, she said that she liked everything (which is great, because other than spicy foods, I'll eat anything as well) but that she particularly likes rice dishes and fish, which I could have guessed from what we've been eating for lunch these past few days.
I'm glad I had to chance to sit down with my señora, practice my Spanish, and learn more about Spanish culture, and I'm excited for more opportunities like this.
She always buys fruit from a frutería, fish from a pescadería, and meat from a carnecería, preferring to only go to the supermercado for cleaning supplies and such. When I asked her if she'd noticed food prices going up, she responded with, "¡Muchísimo!" and told me that it wasn't just food (in particular oil and meat) but also many other types of goods as well. I wish I knew more about food costs in the US so that I could have made a comparison, but I guess that's something I'll have to ask my grandma or mom about when I get home (yes, I realize that I sound like a spoiled child.)
When she goes shopping, she always has a general idea of what she wants to make, but the time she spends each day cooking really depends on the dish. Sometimes she says she can whip something together in five minutes, but more complicated dishes obviously take more time. When I asked what her favorite dish was, she said that she liked everything (which is great, because other than spicy foods, I'll eat anything as well) but that she particularly likes rice dishes and fish, which I could have guessed from what we've been eating for lunch these past few days.
I'm glad I had to chance to sit down with my señora, practice my Spanish, and learn more about Spanish culture, and I'm excited for more opportunities like this.
Tapas Hopping
Going out for tapas with everyone last night was definitely an experience I'll share with my friends back in the States. I had an amazing time!
I think my favorite dish of the night was the patatas alioli. The sauce was incredibly flavorful, and I know Andy said that it was store bought at the particular place we went to, so I can't even imagine how good the homemade variety must be. The cochinillo asado was also delicious. When we went to the market today, a part of me felt a little guilty looking at the suckling pigs in the display cases, but the memory of the crispy skin and tender meat I tried yesterday was still pretty strong.
I can honestly say that I didn't try a single tapa yesterday that I didn't enjoy eating, but if I have to pick a least favorite, I would say it was the cortillos at the second place we went to, and only because they got messy (I have a weird thing about eating meat with my hands, so I generally feel this way about all ribs, even though I love them.)
I've tried a variety of drinks since I've been in Spain, but I think my favorite so far has been the tinto del verano at Bambú. I've also had this drink at other places, but the ratio of wine to soda at Bambú is perfectly suited to my taste. However, I look forward to trying many other types of drinks (both with and without alcohol) in the coming weeks.
And speaking of trying new things, I definitely want to try lengua the next time I go out for tapas. I didn't get to taste any last night because I was already pretty full, but everyone who tried it seemed to like it, and I can't leave Spain without trying something adventurous!
I think my favorite dish of the night was the patatas alioli. The sauce was incredibly flavorful, and I know Andy said that it was store bought at the particular place we went to, so I can't even imagine how good the homemade variety must be. The cochinillo asado was also delicious. When we went to the market today, a part of me felt a little guilty looking at the suckling pigs in the display cases, but the memory of the crispy skin and tender meat I tried yesterday was still pretty strong.
I can honestly say that I didn't try a single tapa yesterday that I didn't enjoy eating, but if I have to pick a least favorite, I would say it was the cortillos at the second place we went to, and only because they got messy (I have a weird thing about eating meat with my hands, so I generally feel this way about all ribs, even though I love them.)
I've tried a variety of drinks since I've been in Spain, but I think my favorite so far has been the tinto del verano at Bambú. I've also had this drink at other places, but the ratio of wine to soda at Bambú is perfectly suited to my taste. However, I look forward to trying many other types of drinks (both with and without alcohol) in the coming weeks.
And speaking of trying new things, I definitely want to try lengua the next time I go out for tapas. I didn't get to taste any last night because I was already pretty full, but everyone who tried it seemed to like it, and I can't leave Spain without trying something adventurous!
¡Me encantan tapas!
"Tapa-hopping" last night was absolutely fantastic! Before leaving I thought I was only going to be having a few little snacks, but among the four places we stopped in, I finished the evening quite full! At the first place we went to, I tried D. cochinillo asado with a glass of sangria. This was supposedly what this place was known for and I believe it lived up to its expectations. The pork was really tender, and the skin was crunchy and flavorful. Served with a slice of bread, this was the perfect start. I also tried part of a hamburguesa, which is pretty different than your basic hamburger in America. For starters, the patty was probably not composed of any beef, but mostly pork. It was more of a red color and tasted somewhat like salami. It was also topped with a tomato slice and alioli sauce. (That sauce is fantastic!) I also had the chance to try alioli sauce on patatas. Really good!
At the next tapa location, I tried costillas which I really enjoyed. However, I must say that my dad's ribs do rival these! I also tried queso de oveja. I was expecting more of a creamy cheese, like goat cheese, but these were solid, triangular slices of cheese on bread. Nevertheless, I did enjoy these, even though I haven't really been a huge cheese fan in the past (other than goat cheese, which I love for some reason). If I had to pick a "least favorite tapa" I would probably say these since they weren't too exciting, but I still liked them. I don't think there is much here that is not good!
The third tapa location we visited may have had the most varied choices. I choose tortilla con calabatin (zucchini). I think this was probably my favorite tapa of the night, although I did enjoy the meat options as well. This tapa was composed of a tortilla, which was a combination of eggs and potato and had melted cheese and zucchini sandwiched between two pieces. It was creamy and flavorful and a nice contrast to the other meat tapas I had just tried. I'd say that my favorite drink so far is sangria, though I have not tried many other drinks. I love the sweet fruitiness of the sangria. It's quite refreshing and the perfect compliment to pretty much any tapa.
I really enjoyed the last location we stopped in, Bar Su Casa. It reminded me of a "mom & pops" bar and I'm sure this place had been around for a while. The decorations provided a really authentic and classic atmosphere. I didn't try any food here, but I did try some kind of acorn liquor (I forgot what it is called). This was extremely sweet and tasted like some kind of combination of caramel and maple syrup.
Next time I go for tapas, I would like to try something that contains seafood, such as calamar, which I have always loved. I'm excited and curious to taste the difference in freshness of seafood between here and the US. I'd also be open to trying some obscure body part such as tongue, or maybe a kidney! We'll see... Only in Spain!
At the next tapa location, I tried costillas which I really enjoyed. However, I must say that my dad's ribs do rival these! I also tried queso de oveja. I was expecting more of a creamy cheese, like goat cheese, but these were solid, triangular slices of cheese on bread. Nevertheless, I did enjoy these, even though I haven't really been a huge cheese fan in the past (other than goat cheese, which I love for some reason). If I had to pick a "least favorite tapa" I would probably say these since they weren't too exciting, but I still liked them. I don't think there is much here that is not good!
The third tapa location we visited may have had the most varied choices. I choose tortilla con calabatin (zucchini). I think this was probably my favorite tapa of the night, although I did enjoy the meat options as well. This tapa was composed of a tortilla, which was a combination of eggs and potato and had melted cheese and zucchini sandwiched between two pieces. It was creamy and flavorful and a nice contrast to the other meat tapas I had just tried. I'd say that my favorite drink so far is sangria, though I have not tried many other drinks. I love the sweet fruitiness of the sangria. It's quite refreshing and the perfect compliment to pretty much any tapa.
I really enjoyed the last location we stopped in, Bar Su Casa. It reminded me of a "mom & pops" bar and I'm sure this place had been around for a while. The decorations provided a really authentic and classic atmosphere. I didn't try any food here, but I did try some kind of acorn liquor (I forgot what it is called). This was extremely sweet and tasted like some kind of combination of caramel and maple syrup.
Next time I go for tapas, I would like to try something that contains seafood, such as calamar, which I have always loved. I'm excited and curious to taste the difference in freshness of seafood between here and the US. I'd also be open to trying some obscure body part such as tongue, or maybe a kidney! We'll see... Only in Spain!
The Standouts of Spanish Food Thus Far
As a preface to talking about food and drinks and such, I should mention that I think the system built around tapas is genius. The fact that you can just go into a bar and get a drink and what in America would be a big snack or a tiny meal for only a few euros is great. In America, if you are out and want a quick bite to eat, you have to go to a fast food place or a convenience store where you get horrible processed food. But here in Spain, you can stop in any bar for five minutes and get a drink and delicious, real food.
My favorite tapa thus far is either the tongue or the stuffed pepper. Once one gets past the intial reluctance to eat an animal's tongue, it is a delicious piece of meat. The stuffed pepper was great too, although I do wish it had been a hot pepper. Even still, the pepper itself was delicious as was the stuffing. As far as drinks are concerned, I cannot say much. I do not drink alcohol, so I have not tried the variety of Spanish drinks. At my home here however, one of my hosts makes gazpacho, which is very good. It is a mix of tomato, onion, pepper, cucumber, water, and oil very finely blended into a drink. My host said that I was the first guest of theirs to ever like it, and I can certainly see how many people might find not find it appealing, but I enjoy it and have it at lunch every day. The one thing in particular that I still want to try is the spider crab. I am curious because it is a delicacy here and in America no one would ever eat it.
My favorite tapa thus far is either the tongue or the stuffed pepper. Once one gets past the intial reluctance to eat an animal's tongue, it is a delicious piece of meat. The stuffed pepper was great too, although I do wish it had been a hot pepper. Even still, the pepper itself was delicious as was the stuffing. As far as drinks are concerned, I cannot say much. I do not drink alcohol, so I have not tried the variety of Spanish drinks. At my home here however, one of my hosts makes gazpacho, which is very good. It is a mix of tomato, onion, pepper, cucumber, water, and oil very finely blended into a drink. My host said that I was the first guest of theirs to ever like it, and I can certainly see how many people might find not find it appealing, but I enjoy it and have it at lunch every day. The one thing in particular that I still want to try is the spider crab. I am curious because it is a delicacy here and in America no one would ever eat it.
My Señoras Take on Food and Cooking
My Senora, Senora Augustina or Tina, was as always quite forthcoming about life in Spain. Like most of the people I have met here, she is always happy to answer the host of questions that arise when an ignorant American comes to a very different country. As a side note, it was very nice to find that the people here tend to be quite pleasant and helpful, especially compared to the people in many American cities.
Anyway, Tina does her food shopping in a supermercado three or four times a week. She goes shopping whenever there is something she needs, and she goes with only that specific thing in mind. For example, when I mentioned I liked fruit, she went to the supermercado to buy some to have at the apartment for me and the rest of the household. She has noticed significant increases in the cost of food, mentioning that every week the prices of everything get higher. One specific example she gave was oil whose cost has apparently doubled in recent months. As far as cooking is concerned, she spends anywhere from an hour to two hours preparing for lunch and dinner. Breakfast does not involve any cooking. So, she spends anywhere from two to four hours cooking every day. Her favorite foods are paella, tortilla, and embutido.
Anyway, Tina does her food shopping in a supermercado three or four times a week. She goes shopping whenever there is something she needs, and she goes with only that specific thing in mind. For example, when I mentioned I liked fruit, she went to the supermercado to buy some to have at the apartment for me and the rest of the household. She has noticed significant increases in the cost of food, mentioning that every week the prices of everything get higher. One specific example she gave was oil whose cost has apparently doubled in recent months. As far as cooking is concerned, she spends anywhere from an hour to two hours preparing for lunch and dinner. Breakfast does not involve any cooking. So, she spends anywhere from two to four hours cooking every day. Her favorite foods are paella, tortilla, and embutido.
My Favorite Thing about Spanish Food- TAPAS
The Spanish have definitely figured out how to eat- and drink too. And I love it! I cannot even begin to tell you how much I have enjoyed the tapas here. They are increíble. My favorite tapa that I tried yesterday was the cochinillo de asada at Don Cochinillo. I have never in my life had pork that amazing! They definitely know how to treat and cook their meat here! ¡Que rico!
Honestly, I don't think there is a tapa that I have tried and haven't liked here. Next time I go out for tapas, I want to get a little more adventurous. I want to try cow tongue again, because the bite I had was delicious. I love that they use every part of the animal here! In addition to la lengua, I want to try el pulpo, because I am not sure if I have ever tried octopus before. Also, Nicole got some shrimp with the head attached and she had to rip off the head and peel off the skin to get to the delicious meat, and I think I want to try that too! There is so much to try here and the quality of the food is incredible! The bite of chorizo that I had yesterday was also amazing and I will be ordering that too. Even though we went "tapa hopping" last night and I tried so much great food, I still feel like there is so much more food here that I haven't tasted I am so glad we are here 6 weeks.
Mia
Honestly, I don't think there is a tapa that I have tried and haven't liked here. Next time I go out for tapas, I want to get a little more adventurous. I want to try cow tongue again, because the bite I had was delicious. I love that they use every part of the animal here! In addition to la lengua, I want to try el pulpo, because I am not sure if I have ever tried octopus before. Also, Nicole got some shrimp with the head attached and she had to rip off the head and peel off the skin to get to the delicious meat, and I think I want to try that too! There is so much to try here and the quality of the food is incredible! The bite of chorizo that I had yesterday was also amazing and I will be ordering that too. Even though we went "tapa hopping" last night and I tried so much great food, I still feel like there is so much more food here that I haven't tasted I am so glad we are here 6 weeks.
Mia
Learning About Food from the Source- An Interview with My Señora
I absolutely loved talking to my Señora about la comida de España. This assignment allowed the two of us to really converse in Spanish, so it was a great opportunity for me, and I think my Señora really enjoyed it too!
I learned a lot about how much time and energy it takes to prepare Spanish food for a family or students. My señora goes to the el mercado to buy meat. She goes once a week- every Saturday. She always buys her meat from the Carnicería hermanos camba, where she has been going for the past 22 years. Additionally, she will go shopping for fruit or other basics as needed. When we are running out of fruit, she said she will go to una frutería on Avenida Portugal to buy more fruit. She told me she always knows what she is going to buy before she goes out to shop. I also learned that everyone has noticed an increase in prices of food in recent years. She said all the basics, como pollo, azúcar, y frutas, cost more now than they did a couple of years ago, due to the economic crisis.
Everyday, around the time for a siesta, my señora thinks about what we are going to eat for the next day. She will then prepare that food in the evening, so she just has to heat it up the following day. She does this because she works everyday until two, and she told me that she doesn't want her guests going hungry or waiting hours for her to cook. She said that on the average day, she usually will spend 1 to 1.5 hours cooking. I told her that I would love it if she could show me a little bit about cooking, and she said that on a weekend, when she doesn't have to work, we can cook together.
We had a great conversation and I learned so much from my señora. Additionally, this conversation really made me feel more comfortable talking with my señora and the locals. She told me that I can ask her anything I want to at anytime and she would be happy to answer. She is very nice and easy to talk to. And her food is delicious too!
Mia
I learned a lot about how much time and energy it takes to prepare Spanish food for a family or students. My señora goes to the el mercado to buy meat. She goes once a week- every Saturday. She always buys her meat from the Carnicería hermanos camba, where she has been going for the past 22 years. Additionally, she will go shopping for fruit or other basics as needed. When we are running out of fruit, she said she will go to una frutería on Avenida Portugal to buy more fruit. She told me she always knows what she is going to buy before she goes out to shop. I also learned that everyone has noticed an increase in prices of food in recent years. She said all the basics, como pollo, azúcar, y frutas, cost more now than they did a couple of years ago, due to the economic crisis.
Everyday, around the time for a siesta, my señora thinks about what we are going to eat for the next day. She will then prepare that food in the evening, so she just has to heat it up the following day. She does this because she works everyday until two, and she told me that she doesn't want her guests going hungry or waiting hours for her to cook. She said that on the average day, she usually will spend 1 to 1.5 hours cooking. I told her that I would love it if she could show me a little bit about cooking, and she said that on a weekend, when she doesn't have to work, we can cook together.
We had a great conversation and I learned so much from my señora. Additionally, this conversation really made me feel more comfortable talking with my señora and the locals. She told me that I can ask her anything I want to at anytime and she would be happy to answer. She is very nice and easy to talk to. And her food is delicious too!
Mia
First Impressions of Spanish Food
When I think of Spanish food, the first thing that comes to mind is tapas because I've heard so much about it from my friends who have travelled to Spain. I couldn't wait to try the tapas here- which, thanks to Andy- I was able to try my first tapa today. It was pan con queso, tomates, y cebollas y era deliciosa. ¡Gracias, Andy! I has a delicious glass of cold sangria to wash down the tapa, which was perfect considering it was HOT today!
The other thing that comes to mind when I think of Spanish food, is Spanish wine. I love wine and I was so excited to hear that you can buy a good bottle of wine here for 5 euro or less! I will definitely be taking advantage of that.
Other than tapas and wine, I didn't really know what to expect to be quite honest, but I was and still am excited to try all the food Spain has to offer me! So far, I have been pleasantly surprised. I had a Spanish tortilla las night for dinner with my host mom, and it was a delicious blend of eggs and potatoes.
I have heard that the seafood is amazing here too- which I definitely want to explore- especially because I don't know a whole lot about seafood. After attending class today, I learned, that in addition to seafood, the Spanish love pork and curing their meat- which sound great to me! I am excited to try the cured meats, especially the pork, and learn even more about Spanish food and culture!
Mia
The other thing that comes to mind when I think of Spanish food, is Spanish wine. I love wine and I was so excited to hear that you can buy a good bottle of wine here for 5 euro or less! I will definitely be taking advantage of that.
Other than tapas and wine, I didn't really know what to expect to be quite honest, but I was and still am excited to try all the food Spain has to offer me! So far, I have been pleasantly surprised. I had a Spanish tortilla las night for dinner with my host mom, and it was a delicious blend of eggs and potatoes.
I have heard that the seafood is amazing here too- which I definitely want to explore- especially because I don't know a whole lot about seafood. After attending class today, I learned, that in addition to seafood, the Spanish love pork and curing their meat- which sound great to me! I am excited to try the cured meats, especially the pork, and learn even more about Spanish food and culture!
Mia
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Tapas, Tapas, and... Tapas?
I must admit that up until yesterday I was unsure of what tapas were. I knew I should have had a better idea than what I originally had. Whenever I would ask somebody anything about food in Spain or about the culture, tapas was NEVER left out of the conversation. Not just because they are popular here but because they are a way of life.
So from my understanding tapas are like little bar/restaurant places where you order a "tapa" which is like a small plate of a type of food (like a appetizer except there is only one serving) and a drink comes with it. Beer, wine, soda, and water are some of the more popular drinks but there are many options to these as well. For example, there are many mixed drinks that are available like a sangria which is a drink mixed with dark wine, a type of soda, and served with a slice of fruit. I received a lemon in mine.
Yesterday our class went "tapa hopping" as a chance to fully understand what tapas are and to learn more about the local cuisine. We met up at 8:30p and did not finish until 12:30a! I defintiely feel I have the best class yet ;) We ate and drank all through the night and kept it going through the party scene. We were fortunate enough to try out 4 different tapas which was definitely a treat. By the end of the night we were rolling down the street.
The tapa I really enjoyed was Meson Los Faroles because it has a great atmosphere and plenty of seating room and bar space that not a lot of tapas offer. Also, there were over 20 different tapas to choose from! That was a little overwhelming because we couldn't choose! Not too far behind my first choice would be Don Cochinillo, simply because their patatas and drinks were amazing and their staff was polite as well. I haven't been to many tapas but my least favorite was the one a group of us and I went to our first day in Salamanca. Of course we didn't have anyone to show us the ropes to finding a good tapa. The floors were dirty and the food was out despite the extreme heat that brought out flies. I don´t recall the name but when I pass it again, I will be sure to take note.
There were many many drinks to choose from and it is very difficult to pick one favorite. But the best drinks I've tried have been the rebujito and the La Shandy de Mixta Mahou (labor limon). The rebujita is mixed with white wine and pop something similar to Sprite, which is the most common. The shandy is a flavored bottled beer that is similar to a Seagrams or a Mike's but is well... better.
There are a few items that I would like to try when I go out to another tapa. I would love to try the chorizo iberico asado (a type of sandwich) which was at a tapa called, Churraco and croquetas (a fried dish) that I believe most tapas have. I would also love to try a drink called calimocho, which was suggested to me by my professor and includes red wine mixed with coke!
To us Americans, tapas are undoubtedly a treat but for the locals, it is just another part of the culture. Tapas are a place to enjoy great food, with fresh ingredients, and a nice refresco. I figure since I will be living in Spain as a local student and would like to immerse myself into the culture fully, it would be best if I enjoy tapas just as the locals would... say, almost everyday.
:)
So from my understanding tapas are like little bar/restaurant places where you order a "tapa" which is like a small plate of a type of food (like a appetizer except there is only one serving) and a drink comes with it. Beer, wine, soda, and water are some of the more popular drinks but there are many options to these as well. For example, there are many mixed drinks that are available like a sangria which is a drink mixed with dark wine, a type of soda, and served with a slice of fruit. I received a lemon in mine.
Yesterday our class went "tapa hopping" as a chance to fully understand what tapas are and to learn more about the local cuisine. We met up at 8:30p and did not finish until 12:30a! I defintiely feel I have the best class yet ;) We ate and drank all through the night and kept it going through the party scene. We were fortunate enough to try out 4 different tapas which was definitely a treat. By the end of the night we were rolling down the street.
The tapa I really enjoyed was Meson Los Faroles because it has a great atmosphere and plenty of seating room and bar space that not a lot of tapas offer. Also, there were over 20 different tapas to choose from! That was a little overwhelming because we couldn't choose! Not too far behind my first choice would be Don Cochinillo, simply because their patatas and drinks were amazing and their staff was polite as well. I haven't been to many tapas but my least favorite was the one a group of us and I went to our first day in Salamanca. Of course we didn't have anyone to show us the ropes to finding a good tapa. The floors were dirty and the food was out despite the extreme heat that brought out flies. I don´t recall the name but when I pass it again, I will be sure to take note.
There were many many drinks to choose from and it is very difficult to pick one favorite. But the best drinks I've tried have been the rebujito and the La Shandy de Mixta Mahou (labor limon). The rebujita is mixed with white wine and pop something similar to Sprite, which is the most common. The shandy is a flavored bottled beer that is similar to a Seagrams or a Mike's but is well... better.
There are a few items that I would like to try when I go out to another tapa. I would love to try the chorizo iberico asado (a type of sandwich) which was at a tapa called, Churraco and croquetas (a fried dish) that I believe most tapas have. I would also love to try a drink called calimocho, which was suggested to me by my professor and includes red wine mixed with coke!
To us Americans, tapas are undoubtedly a treat but for the locals, it is just another part of the culture. Tapas are a place to enjoy great food, with fresh ingredients, and a nice refresco. I figure since I will be living in Spain as a local student and would like to immerse myself into the culture fully, it would be best if I enjoy tapas just as the locals would... say, almost everyday.
:)
When I think of Spanish food...
When I think of Spanish food I think of tapas!
Growing up in the semi-rural midwest, we really didn't have too many authentic spanish restaurants around town. In fact, we probably didn't have any authentic spanish restaurants in all of Champain-Urbana, Illinois. The closest thing we have is a restaurant called Radio Maria which served tapas. As a result, before coming to Salamanca or even Michigan, I thought spanish food was pretty much just many different kinds of tapas.
Turns out, I was half right. There are tapas here in Salamanca, as we found out yesterday at Bambu. However by no means is that the only thing Spain has to offer. My first night my host mother cooked an incredible meal of spanish tortillas (potatoes, eggs, and other fantastic ingredients), salad (a healthy salad with olive oil as the dressing and no cheese; quite different than america), and the best fruit I've ever had. The next day I had some sort of potato, chicken, fried dumpling thing. Although don't be fooled, it was significantly better than any chicken nuggests from the states. Finally I had an amazing soup that she made for lunch yesterday that was a cream based potato concoction. Everything here has been completely incredible, and obviously much more diverse than just "tapas".
Potentially the most shocking thing is how incredible the fruit is here. I did not associate spain with fruit before coming, in my mind the main food offered here was meat. However already in my 48 hours of being here, I have had countless numbers of melocotons, paraguitos, and other such amazing fruits. They are all incredibly fresh and amazingly sweet compared to what I'm used to back in the states. This was a huge relief to me, because meat is not my favorite thing in the world, and fruit definitely is high on my list of favorite foods.
Growing up in the semi-rural midwest, we really didn't have too many authentic spanish restaurants around town. In fact, we probably didn't have any authentic spanish restaurants in all of Champain-Urbana, Illinois. The closest thing we have is a restaurant called Radio Maria which served tapas. As a result, before coming to Salamanca or even Michigan, I thought spanish food was pretty much just many different kinds of tapas.
Turns out, I was half right. There are tapas here in Salamanca, as we found out yesterday at Bambu. However by no means is that the only thing Spain has to offer. My first night my host mother cooked an incredible meal of spanish tortillas (potatoes, eggs, and other fantastic ingredients), salad (a healthy salad with olive oil as the dressing and no cheese; quite different than america), and the best fruit I've ever had. The next day I had some sort of potato, chicken, fried dumpling thing. Although don't be fooled, it was significantly better than any chicken nuggests from the states. Finally I had an amazing soup that she made for lunch yesterday that was a cream based potato concoction. Everything here has been completely incredible, and obviously much more diverse than just "tapas".
Potentially the most shocking thing is how incredible the fruit is here. I did not associate spain with fruit before coming, in my mind the main food offered here was meat. However already in my 48 hours of being here, I have had countless numbers of melocotons, paraguitos, and other such amazing fruits. They are all incredibly fresh and amazingly sweet compared to what I'm used to back in the states. This was a huge relief to me, because meat is not my favorite thing in the world, and fruit definitely is high on my list of favorite foods.
On previous impressions of Spanish food...
Before arriving in Salamanca, I had some idea of the Spanish food I'd love to try again: tortilla espanola, churros con chocolate, bocadillos, paella (sin mariscos!), croquetas. In other words, nothing very adventurous.
In previous visits to Spain, I've had some bad experiences with food that I'd like to remedy by attempting to try those foods this time around. For instance, I detest seafood of any kind because of its offensively pungent smell. Unfortunately, the Spanish love their seafood because it is so fresh and so plentiful here. My senora says she does not often cook it for the students that stay with her, so I may be able to avoid it en casa at least. However, I am up for trying nearly anything once, even if it is only a small bite at first. Luckily, seafood is really the only thing that bothers me, so I am eager to try anything and everything else I encounter during these six weeks.
Spanish Food
After only a few days in Spain, it is apparent there is so much more to Salamanca than what I could have ever imagined. One of the things I was most excited about for this trip was the food. I had heard from many people that the Spanish enjoyed a lot of meat and seafood; I love both. My family at home consumes at least one of these types of food each day. Many people who had also been to Spain had mentioned tapas, but more in the cultural context than the actual food.
After only a couple of days in Spain, it is clear there is much more to the cuisine than this. After talking in class about the different methods of cooking the same kind of meat, along with the discussion of rare delicacies, I am excited to eat everything I possibly can. I think it will be a bit interesting since the meat I like the least is ham, and the most common meat in Spain is ham. I am open to trying new things, so hopefully the way they cook it here is better than the US.
I think that the tapas and drinks invention is a great thing. Going to the tapas bar today was something so new and exciting. The tapa I had was delicious along with the tasty sangria. The food I have had at my host family’s house is also very good. So far, it’s been mainly common American food paired in interesting assortments. Eggs, pasta, and bread are all things I probably eat on a weekly basis in the US, but not in one meal.
I think that the Spanish cuisine is different and so exciting from the US. I want to try as much new food as possible while I am here.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Preconceptions of Spanish Food
Before coming to Spain, I was under the impression that Spanish food was basically huge amounts of meat, especially red meat, and cheese. I always imagined huge racks hanging with a variety of sections of beef and pork. I thought that fish and other seafood were less common especially in the more interior parts of the country. Chicken I imagined to be common, but not nearly as ubiquitous as beef and pork. I had heard that Spain consisted of land that was excellent for maintaining livestock, but not quite so well suited for raising crops. From my brief glimpse of the country from the train between Madrid and Salamanca, it looked like that could indeed be the case, at least in those areas, but I really do not know whether that is true for the whole country.
So, I was very surprised to learn that seafood was common and quite popular. I was especially shocked by the fact that spider crab is a delicacy here. I have been crabbing on the east coast a number of times, and we always threw back the spider crabs without a second thought, and were unhappy when we caught them because they ate all the bait. Until today, I did not even think they were edible. From an American perspective, they are about the least appetizing looking animal I have ever seen. I am happy to know that other sorts of seafood are common though; fish and shellfish are some of my favorite foods.
Anyway, one other thing I was surprised to learn was that Spanish food is not particularly spicy. I thought that since Latin American food is so spicy, Spanish food must be as well. I guess while Spain exported their language and many other things to its colonies, it did not export its cooking. I love spicy food, so I do wish Spain made more use of hot peppers and the like, but I suppose it will be good to refine my palate with more subtle flavors. In general, I look forward to trying all the food that Spain has to offer.
So, I was very surprised to learn that seafood was common and quite popular. I was especially shocked by the fact that spider crab is a delicacy here. I have been crabbing on the east coast a number of times, and we always threw back the spider crabs without a second thought, and were unhappy when we caught them because they ate all the bait. Until today, I did not even think they were edible. From an American perspective, they are about the least appetizing looking animal I have ever seen. I am happy to know that other sorts of seafood are common though; fish and shellfish are some of my favorite foods.
Anyway, one other thing I was surprised to learn was that Spanish food is not particularly spicy. I thought that since Latin American food is so spicy, Spanish food must be as well. I guess while Spain exported their language and many other things to its colonies, it did not export its cooking. I love spicy food, so I do wish Spain made more use of hot peppers and the like, but I suppose it will be good to refine my palate with more subtle flavors. In general, I look forward to trying all the food that Spain has to offer.
Food Lessons 101: You Don't Know Everything
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.
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.
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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