Spain… World Cup. How about World Plate!?

With Spain’s recent Wold Cup victory, the country that popularized tapas and late night dining is top of mind, and on everyone’s lips…

I visited Spain last month – Barcelona to be exact – and was fortunate enough to spend the end of last year there too.

Barcelona is a magical place.  I could write a novel about the beauty in the landscapes, breathtaking cities, warm and welcoming culture, relaxing beaches and world-renowned artwork.  For now, I’ll just focus on the unique foodie culture that makes Spain so wonderful.

I love Barcelona’s outlook on life.  They don’t live to work like we do here in the states, they work to live.  They prioritize life around spending time with the ones they care about.  Some of my best memories include enjoying tapas and wine over casual conversation and playful banter.

The Spanish culture is all about socializing, which means they love their food and drink.  The freshest food in Barcelona is found at the local market located on Las Ramblas, near the beach.  You’ll find seafood (caught the morning of) still squirming and clawing as you pass by.  Every spice you can imagine orcandy ever craved can be found at this hidden gem of a market.

Spanish cuisine is heavy on the seafood, which is readily available since it borders the Mediterranean Sea.  This is especially true for Barcelona, where fresh seafood can go from ocean to plate in mere hours.  There are thousands of recipes and dishes that make up the varied cuisines of Spain. These range from croquetas (a small fried food roll containing mashed potatoes and/or minced meat, often encased in breadcrumbs) to rare Spanish sea urchin.  One thing is certain; you will not be disappointed or bored with the food offerings.

Spain’s most common dishes include: potato omelet (tortilla de patata), cheeses, various stews, migas, sausages (such as embutidos chorizo, and morcilla), jamón serrano, and of course paella.  Seafood paella is a popular favorite throughout Spain and typically includes rice, seafood and seasoning.  This dish dates back to the 15^th century and is tender, flavorful, and exotic.

While Spain has a traditional paella style, creative chefs worldwide have given their own twists using local ingredients.  For those of us in the Pacific Northwest, Chef Cathy Whims from Nostrana has a delicious version that features chicken and chorizo.  Portland Monthly recently featured this recipe as a great option for a summer meal with friends. Try it out and let us know what you think. And enjoy a few of my favorite photos from Spain!