SPANISH CUISINE
GEOGRAPHY
● Located in the Iberian
Peninsula(occupies about 85% of it)
● Borders Portugal on the
West,Gibraltar and Morocco on the
South and France and Andorra on
the North-east
● Spain includes the Balearic Islands
in the Mediterranean Sea, the
Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean
and a number of uninhabited islands
in the Mediterranean Sea
GEOGRAPHY
The food in Spain is classified based on the following regions
● Catalonia- -Famous for Casseroles
● The Pyrenees-Famous for sauces such as Chilindrones
● Valencia-Famous for exquisite rice dishes called Paella
● Andalucia- Known for fried food like fried fish and the famous Gazpacho
● Central Spain- It is known for its roasts of meat such as lamb & veal It produces
one of the best cheeses in the country, Madrid is famous for dishes such as
Cocido Madrileno
● The Balearic islands- Mayonnaise was originally created here in the city of
● [Link] city of Mallorca is famous for its pastries such as Encimadas
● The Canary Islands- These Islands are famous for tropical fruits and also fish
and its famous hot sauce known as Mojo picon
SPANISH CUISINE , ORIGIN AND HISTORY
● 200B.C- Romans entered Spain from South bringing uvas(grapes),for
wine,garlic,trigo(wheat) and aceltuna(olives).
● 711 A.D-the Moors (Arabs from north Africa) invaded the south of
Spain and introduced oranges, lemons ,almonds ,herbs ,fruits
vegetables, and variety of spices including nutmeg, saffron, and
pepper - adopted combining sweet and savory , as well ass the use of
miel (honey) and cooking techniques like marinating and frying foods
in olive oil.
HISTORY
● Late 1400's - Christopher Columbus
and other explorers returned from the
New World along with them are some
ingredients tomatoes corn, potatoes,
sweet peppers, and chocolates.
● The discovery of America made
influential impression on spanish food
● New ingredients like
tomatoes,pimento(chilli ),chocolates,
potatoes and frijoles(beans) were
introduced.
POPULAR INGREDIENTS
some popular cooking ingredients used in Spain are:
● Olive Oil
● Fresh Garlic
● Peppers and Paprika
● Eggs
● Potatoes
● Spanish Wine
● Parsley
● Onions
● Rosemary, Thyme, Oregano and Saffron
● French-Style Bread
● Milk
● Fish, Sausages, Beef and Chicken .
KEY INGREDIENTS USED IN SPAIN
1. OLIVE OIL :- It is an essential
ingredients in spanish cuisine used
for sauteing ,frying and marinating
meat and vegetable.
2. Garlic:- Garlic is a classic ingredient
in Spanish dishes adding subtle llavor
to many dishes I's offten used in
sauces and stews.
KEY INGREDIENTS USED IN SPAIN
3. Tomatoes - tomatoes are a key
ingredient in Spanish cooking used
to make sauces ,soup, stews and
even salads
4. Paprika- paprika is a popular spice
used in cooking,adding a smoky
flavor and a vibrant red color
KEY INGREDIENTS USED IN SPAIN
1. Chorizo- chorizo is spicy
sausage used in a variety
of dishes , it can be
cooked as in or chopped
and added to other
dishes
2. Saffron -saffron is a
powerful spice used in
spanish cooking , adding
unique flavor to dishes
like paella
KEY INGREDIENTS USED IN SPAIN
Sherry- sherry is a fortified wine
used in spanish cooking , often
served as an aperitif.
Pimenton -pimento is a smoked
paprika used to season meats,
fish,and other dishes
KEY INGREDIENTS USED IN SPAIN
Aguardiente - it translate to tooth water .It
is anise flavoured liquor, made from
grapes and from skins and pips as well.
Alubias - these are various varieties of
dried beans that grow in different parts of
spain.
KEY INGREDIENTS USED IN SPAIN
Butifarra - it is very popular in catalonia and
is made from pork,tripe and pine [Link] is
usually spiced with cinnamon and cumin
and can be served grilled or pan fried.
Manchego - it is a cheese made in la
mancha region of spain from milk of sheep.
The aging determines it flavour and texture.
Jamon
● The spanish ham called serrano is much sweeter
ham .
● The best serrano ham comes from black iberian
pigs that are fed on acorns , which help in good
marbling of ham,
Piquillos
● This is a variety of chilli peppers that grow in
northern spain
● Piquillos in spanish means little beaks and this
pepper resembles the pointed beak of the bird
● These are roasted, then peeled and deseeded .
● These are usually canned and available
BREAD AND RICE
● Bread is traditionally served as an
accompaniment to food often with a
little extra virgin olive oil for dipping .
● Bread with cheese is a common snack
● Bread is also used to thicken soups and
stocks
● The valencia region is the home of one
of the spain’s most famous rice dishes
, the paella. Traditionally cooked
outside on an open wood fire in a large
flat bottomed pan called a paellera .
FISH AND SHELLFISH
● Commonly enjoyed fish include
tuna, sea bass hake,monkish,
anchovies, swordfish
,clams,mussels, oysters and
shrimp.
● Fish shellfish are grilled over hot
coals
● These are served with bread and
salad.
FISH AND SHELLFISH
● These are served as tapas
dotted through a paella or
enjoyed in suquet.
● Much of the spain is bordered
by ocean and fish and shellfish
are abundant in rich coastal
waters
TAPAS
● Tapas are great spanish food
tradition composed of different
types of food like appetizers or
snacks .
● These are small appetizers which are
ordered before lunch and which
usually accompany a drink or beer
● The dishes may be cold ( jamon
serrano, olives etc) or hot
(tortilla,meatballs etc).
● These can be serve as a bar food or
as complete meals.
FAMOUS DISHES OF SPAIN
Paella Valenciana
● It is a traditional spanish dish from Valencia.
● It is a rice dish that can have meat ,fish, seafood
and vegetables and is characterized by its use of
saffron to give it a yellow color and unique flavor
● There are two varieties of paella:
1. Valencian Paella: rice, green vegetables, rabbit
,chicken or duck,snails,beans and seasoning .
2. Seafood paella: rice,seafood and seasoning
3. It is made in large and shallow cast iron pan .
FAMOUS DISHES OF SPAIN
GAZPACHO
● This dish from Andalusia was prepared to quench
the thirst people working in field.
● It is pureed cold soup of fresh
tomatoes,cucumbers,red bell peppers, red wine
vinegar, one day old stale bread and olive oil.
● The word ‘gazpacho ‘ is derived from arabic for “
soaked bread”.
● Gazpacho may be served with croutons ,additional
chopped vegetables and chopped egg.
FAMOUS DISHES OF SPAIN
Tortilla
● This is also known as spanish omellete and is
made by combining eggs, potatoes ,olives
,vegetables and herbs .
● The word comes from spanish word “torta” which
means a cake.
● The tortilla when cooked looks like a small cake as
it is atleast an inch thick when prepared
● It is normally eaten hot or cold an served on tapas
bar.
FAMOUS DISHES OF SPAIN
Albondigas
● These are small dumplings made from ground meat
and served in a sauce .
● The ground meat is mixed with chopped onions,
garlic and sometimes bound wih eggs and bread .
● These can deep fried, steamed and then braised in a
sauce .
FAMOUS DISHES OF SPAIN
Rabo de toro
● One of the traditional dishes , it is
originated in Cardoba in Spain
● It is an oxtail dish that is braised in red
wine ,tomatoes, and flavored with herbs
such as rosemary ,oregano and thyme
● It also has vegetables such peppers,
carrots and onions and is flavored with
paprika and saffron..
FAMOUS DISHES OF SPAIN
Ensaladas arroz
● This is a rice salad often prepared with left over rice.
● Prepared with diced peppers artichokes ,olives, and
even cold and cured meat.
● It is dressed with olive oil vinaigrette that is sweetened
with some honey.
FAMOUS DISHES OF SPAIN
Pollo al chilindron
● This is a popular braised preparation of chicken
with serrano ham ,onion,garlic,peppers and
tomatoes
● This dish is from Aragona region and red peppers
from this region are main ingredient of this dish.
FAMOUS DISHES OF SPAIN
Gambas al ajillo
● Usually served as snack or in tapas .
● These are prawns sauteed in olive oil ,garlic and
mushrooms .
● This dish has fairly large amount of garlic .
● This dish can also be spiked with red pepper and
paprika.
FAMOUS DISHES OF SPAIN
Piquillos rellenos
● The piquillios chillies are available canned
but if using fresh , can be grilled, peeled ,
deseeded .
● Then it is stuffed with various kind of
mixtures from meat, cheese ,vegetables .
● It is served as tapas as well as eaten in meals.
FAMOUS DISHES OF SPAIN
Calamares en su tinta
● It is a dish of squids in its own ink.
● In this north spanish dish, the squid is
braised until tender in a sauce made
from onion , tomatoes ,peppers and
squid ink.
FAMOUS DISHES OF SPAIN
Churros
● These are a popular snack made from fried
dough pastry, cut into sausage shape and
doused in sugar
● These are dipped in melted chocolate
UNIQUE COOKING UTENSILS
THANK YOU
