What about Spanish food you REALLY like?

[Ben]

So we're beinning to get a good idea of what Spanish food you really don't like (http://www.notesfromspain.com/forum/index.php?topic=8.0), but what about the good stuff? In your forum profile you get the chance to mention your favourite Spanish food, mine is Jamon Iberico (see my info to the left of this post), but what about the rest?

This is your chance to eulogise about all those gourmet delights you head straight out in search of when you get to Spain. In my case it's the simple things that give me great pleasure, croquettas de jamon, cured manchego cheese, even the humble sandwich mixto:

http://static.flickr.com/16/19587348_a562a6fee6.jpg?v=0
(http://static.flickr.com/16/19587348_a562a6fee6.jpg?v=0)

[timg]

For me it has to be either jamon ibérico or croquetas de jamon. yum.

[richardksa]

As soon a I arrive in Madrid, the ONLY thing on my mind is to head to the Parco del Ritiro, get to the bar at the end of the lake and have a beer while watching the girls rollerblade past. Does beer qualify as a "gourmet delight"? What are the best Spanish beers. I am afraid, after many evenings spent in Bordeaux, I am not too enamoured by Spanish wine. Can some recomend one that will prove me wrong?

[Marina]

For me the best beer in Spain is Mahou, but you also have San Miguel.

About wines, I like whites from "Rueda" (very refreshing ins summer) and reds... I suppose that you've tryed "Rioja", maybe you should give a chance to a "Ribera del Duero" we usually buy one called "Fuentespina" .

[Tulula]

Gazpacho is my favorite food, definitely. I visited Cordoba and Granada last summer and ate gazpacho for every meal I could. I would be very happy if you would share your recipes with us. Thanks!

[Marina]

Hi Tulula,

I see gazpacho is one of the "most wanted recipies" as it has already been mentioned in a comment in cuisine from spain web page. Check the following link. http://www.cuisinefromspain.com/2006/03/19/cuisine-from-spain-podcast-no-1-pantumaca-and-olive-oil/#comments


Thanks,
Marina.

[Ben]

Do't forget its thicker Cordoban cousin, Salmorejo... Yum yum!!! ;D

[simonb]

Hi. First post for me. There's a very simple snack of toasted bread, rubbed with garlic, with tomato squashed on top, splashed with olive oil and spinkled with salt. I think it's common in Cataluña but you probably get it all over Spain.

It´s really simple but tastes fantastic and it´s something I copy at home most weeks. I guess it´s called tomato bread or "pan con tomate"?

[Ben]

There's a very simple snack of toasted bread, rubbed with garlic, with tomato squashed on top, splashed with olive oil and spinkled with salt. I think it's common in Cataluña but you probably get it all over Spain.

Something a bit like this? (http://www.notesfromspain.com/316/) ;)

And welcome to the forum!

[Marina]

Good coincidence, we've already done a podcast of "Pantumaca" or "Pan con tomate".
Anyone that wants to listen can click in:
http://www.notesfromspain.com/316/

Simonb, if you have any suggestion in what to eat it with they will be more than welcome.

Cheers.
Marina.

[Marina]

Sorry Ben's message and mine were nearly posted at the same time!!!
Coincidence again:D

[simonb]

We usually eat it as just a starter snack with some olives and a glass of cold, dry, white wine. I like the Alberiño wines but a nice New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is also good (hope that doesn´t sound too pretentious). I do try cold, dry sherry but just can´t acquire the taste.

Honestly, the combination is so good that adding anything else, like cheese or ham, is "guilding the lily" a bit.

[ValenciaSon]

Do you know how to make allioli?
How about ensaladilla rusa?
How about puchero?
Sepionets en salsa?

[cubix]

I would have to go with the chocolate sandwich, I opened up my packed lunch one day while in Salamanca, and there it was.

[Brian]

It's hard to go wrong with the simplicity of smoky, paprika-laced chorizo on fresh-baked, crunchy pan de barra. :)