The 7 most typical dishes of Spanish cuisine

Spain has one of the most varied and exquisite gastronomies in the world. If you are visiting this wonderful country or you have the opportunity to try its cuisine, don't hesitate, try everything!

Great Spanish chefs are a world reference, but everything is due to the great gastronomic legacy of the country. Spanish cuisine is influenced by different civilizations, and its land and climate produce great products. This is reflected in Spanish cuisine, just try one of them and you will see.

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The 7 most typical dishes of Spanish cuisine

Anyone who has never tasted any of the typical dishes of Spanish cuisine has missed a lot. If you are visiting the Iberian Peninsula, you have surely already tried tapas and several of the richest foods that exist in Spain.

But the most likely thing is that you have already tried many dishes, such as the famous Spanish omelette. Its gastronomy is famous all over the world, and below we are going to know the best dishes of Spanish cuisine.

1. Paella

Paella is an icon of Spanish gastronomy. The main ingredient in this dish is rice. It is cooked together with other ingredients in a kind of very large frying pan. In fact, this type of pan where this recipe is cooked is originally called "paella", and this is where this delicious typical dish of Spanish cuisine gets its name.

Its origin dates back to the 18th century, there is a record that its preparation mainly included rabbit and chicken. Currently the combinations are very wide and include elements of mountain and sea. Depending on the region or taste, you can find the paella prepared with chicken, turkey, shrimp, snails or fish.

Paella is a dish that you have to try! It is originally from Valencia, but throughout the Spanish territory you can enjoy it and rest assured that you will understand why it is one of the favorite dishes of Spanish cuisine around the world.

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2. Omelette

In any bar or restaurant in Spain you can eat a good Spanish omelette. And it is that it is another of the most emblematic dishes of the gastronomy of this country. It consists of potatoes cut into slices mixed with beaten egg that forms a fried omelette.

Although it seems like an easy recipe, it is not so easy. The ideal potato omelette should not be raw inside, and although the outside is fried, you must be careful not to burn it. Most recipes also include a little chopped onion, ideally prepared with olive oil. If you want to get the perfect potato omelette with a little practice you can get it.

There are also variants of this omelette. The potato has been replaced by some other ingredients, such as root vegetables or vegetables. Although they are also delicious, the typical dish of Spanish cuisine is the original potato omelette.

3. Fabada

Fabada is a typical dish of Spanish cuisine that originated in Asturias. The recipe includes Asturian beans cooked with bacon, pork, blood sausage and chorizo. It is traditionally a winter dish served hot for lunch.

This dish, in addition to being delicious, provides a high energy content in the form of protein and fat. That is why in Asturias, the place where this recipe originated, it is traditionally served at noon in winter to help the body mitigate the cold.

Fabada is a dish that is found in certain bars or restaurants. It is also part of everyday cooking and surely you will be able to find different flavors and variants depending on who prepares it, but one thing is for sure, it is to die for!

4. Gazpacho

Gazpacho is a cold soup whose main ingredient is tomato. This typical dish of Spanish cuisine is usually served in the summer. It is prepared with cucumber, garlic, onion, olive oil and is served with a piece of bread.

Although its origin is uncertain, everything indicates that it was in Andalusia where it was prepared for the first time. That was where it also became popular, so in some places this dish is known as Andalusian gazpacho.

If you plan to prepare this delicious Spanish dish, it is advisable to serve it in a clay container, as it helps to keep it fresh. You can present the dish with small pieces of cucumber and pepper that also add great flavor to this delicacy. You have to try it!

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5. Madrid stew

Madrid stew is a delight that perfectly combines various ingredients. This typical dish of Spanish cuisine consists of two dishes. First it is a plate of noodle soup or the broth that results from cooking the rest of the ingredients of this dish.

Chickpeas, vegetables, pork and bacon or it can also have chicken, blood sausage and chorizo. Although it was originally a dish of the lower classes, it became popular among the entire population and today it is one of the most delicious and popular typical Spanish dishes inside and outside the country.

As you can imagine, it is a dish that is also served daily in Spanish homes. In addition, this recipe has variants depending on the region where it is prepared, such as cocido maragato and cocido montañés, no matter which one you try, either will leave you with a great taste in your mouth!

6. Octopus a feira

Pulpo a feira or Galician octopus, is a popular dish throughout Spain. Although, as its name indicates, this recipe is originally from Galicia, its consumption has spread throughout the country, making it one of the typical dishes of Spanish cuisine.

Although it is a simple recipe, the deliciousness of this dish is due to the quality of its ingredients. To prepare octopus a feira, you have to cook the octopus by introducing it to a pot with boiling water. It is served sliced ​​and sprinkled with salt, sweet paprika and olive oil.

This is one of the dishes that you will find served in tapas, and without a doubt you should try it because you will not find this flavor anywhere else. In Galicia, the Galician octopus cannot be missed at festivals and fairs. Don't stop trying it!

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7. Santiago's cake

The Santiago cake is a dessert of Galician origin. It is a bread made from almonds, sugar and eggs. Where you will easily find it is in all the pastry shops where the Camino de Santiago passes.

This cake is decorated with the cross of Santiago, and although it is emblematic of the route of the Camino de Santiago, it is also common to find it in restaurants or cafes to eat it together with a coffee or milk.

They say that a tip to recognize a good Santiago cake is that it be really fluffy. Also, once you try it, you will understand, because it is one of the most delicious typical dishes of Spanish cuisine that you must try.

Bibliographic references

• Medina, F. X. (2005). Food culture in Spain. Westport: Greenwood Press.