Spanish Cuisine

More recipes from SBS Food

ingredients

Bread

Bread (pan) is a staple in Spain and is usually eaten at every meal. Day-old bread is never wasted but used to make crumbs for coating croquettes, to make stuffing or adding to soups (gazpacho).

Cheese

Cheese (queso) is associated more with the northern regions of Spain where the main dairy producing area is located. There are many types of cheese produced in Spain including blue and soft cheeses, made from cows, sheep or goats milk.

Two of the more popular ones are:

  • Manchego – a hard, dense sheep milk cheese with similar characteristics of parmesan cheese. This is probably the most popular cheese in Spain.
  • Mahón – a semi-hard cow’s milk cheese. It has a piquant flavour.

Garlic

Also known as ajo, garlic is used extensively in Spanish cooking.

Ham

Known as jamón,  the one found all over Spain is jamón serrano (mountain), a younger salt-cured ham. It is served thinly sliced and raw. It is a deep red colour and melts in your mouth (depending on the age it can be slightly dry). Jamon de Pata Negra is made from free range black Iberian pigs which have grazed on acorns, the jamon is aged for 18 months – because of the care taken, its very expensive (around $230 per kilo) and the taste is nutty, slightly sweet, the texture melting.

Olive Oil

Olive Oil (aceite de oliva) is 'fruitier' than Italian olive oil and used both for cooking, salad dressings and also drizzled over dishes to finish.

Paprika

Paprika (pimentón) is a variety of capsicum which is dried and ground. There are sweet (dulce) and smoked (ahumado) varieties.

Quince Paste

Quince Paste (membrillo) is a rich crimson jam-like paste which is often served sliced on bread with manchego cheese.

Rice

Calasparra is a low starch, short grain rice which is fluffy and separates when cooked. It is the best one to use for paella. It can absorb 3 times its quantity in liquid which means that it is bursting with flavour.

Saffron

Saffron (azafrán)  is the stigma from the crocus flower and the most expensive spice in the world. Fortunately a small amount is enough to impart a distinctive flavour, enticing aroma and a rich colour. Essential for paella.

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

SBS FOOD SAFARI SHOP

Food Safari, Series 4 (DVD)

Food Safari, Series 4 (DVD)

Maeve O’Meara explores flavours new to Australia - Peruvian, Cypriot, Filipino, South African, Lao, Polish, Afghan, Danish plus creole fare in Broome and Darwin.

Food Safari Books and DVDs

Food Safari Books and DVDs

Take a Food Safari to the SBS shop to find all your favourite products.

ADVERTISEMENT
 
 
ADVERTISEMENT