Fine Old Recipes

Spain has varied and mixed heritage and it is indeed reflected in its food. Spain is a Mediterranean country, the cuisines and culture has had a strong effect of its origins. Spain has governed a few colonies in its time and not surprisingly many of the common native food of its colonies were brought into Spain You will also find that the Spanish cuisines draw inspiration from its Moorish and Jewish heritage as well as from Reconquista. Pork is extremely well liked in this country and was traditionally considered to be the mark of christian individuality as the Jews and Muslims did not consume it.

Spain is the biggest producer of olive oil, infact half of the world’s olive oil is produced in Spain. Not surprisingly it is utilized in lots of Spanish cuisines. Northern Spain also uses lard and butter equally well.

Spanish dishes have some distinctive characteristics in the way in which its prepared and served. Onions are garlic are used extensively and wine and bread is served along with most meals. There is good variety in desserts and fruits and dairy products are part of them. Desserts are often served along with the main course. There is a unique Spanish custom that involves the serving of appetizers called ‘tapas’ prior to any drinks.

Lets take a short peek at a few of the favored Spanish dishes:

Gazpacho: Gazpacho is a sort of vegetable soup comprised of garlic, stale bread and olive oil and sometimes tomato and bell paper is also added. It is served both cold and hot. The cold variant is called Gazpacho and the hot variant is called gazpacho manchego and sometimes includes mushrooms and rabbit meat that is less of a soup and more like a stew.

- Paella – A rice dish originally from Valencia. The main ingredients are rice, saffron and olive oil, and the dish is usually garnished with meat or seafood, and vegetables.

- Chorizo – A spicy sausage made using fatty pork and seasoned with chili and paprika. There are a couple of varieties: hot (“picante”) and sweet (“dulce”). Most varieties can be eaten cold, although there are some regions of Spain which produce varieties that require further cooking. Chorizo is not only eaten on its own, but is also used as an ingredient in other dishes.

- Jamn serrano – Dry-cured ham.

- Fabada Asturiana – A bean stew that also contains black blood sausage (“morcilla”), chorizo and pork, and which is flavored with saffron and other seasonings.

- Olla Podrida – A rich stew with bacon, poultry or game, ham, meats and vegetables.

Calamares: Squid dish which is fried in olive oil.

Pescaito Frito: Fish which is marinated and fried after battering it into pieces.

Tortilla de patatas: A form of omlette laced with smashed potatoes and seasoned with onions.

For additional information and videos on the various Spanish cuisines please check out Spanish Food.

Looking for dinner recipes on a shoestring? Rice recipes are one versatile and nutritious solution. We’re all looking for ways to keep our food costs in check while still putting healthy and tasty meals on the table. This can be a challenging objective for the family cook.

Rice recipes offer a perfect solution to the cook’s dilemma. Billions of people around the world rely on rice to provide the basis of the daily meal. With vegetables and meat now at a premium, we’ve got to think outside the box and devise meals that deliver. Here are some ideas for main meals, based on rice recipes that are pleasing, nutritious and filling.

Rice is such a versatile ingredient, spanning cuisines from all over the world. From a simple rice pilaf, to Paella and fried rice, rice recipes are the chameleon of the recipe world. Rice dishes can be plain or fancy, but the outstanding feature of rice based entrees is that you need only very small amounts of meat and vegetables to put together a meal adequate in protein, prolific in vitamins and over the top in taste bud appeal.

Rice recipes can be enhanced with sauces and garnishes to satisfy the most persnickety of appetites. Fried rice is the perfect candidate for an economical, yet satisfying meal, with nutrients galore. Just a bit of leftover meat from last night’s dinner makes a perfect start. Dice some chicken, toss in a bit of salad shrimp, or shred some pork mixed in with some barbecue sauce for your rice recipe starter.

Scramble two or three eggs and toss that into the mix. Water chestnuts, celery, bean sprouts or mushrooms add to the color and nutritive value of your emerging recipe. Dice an onion, add some baby corn or some bamboo shoots. Snow peas or julienned sweet red peppers add interest, crunch and nutrition.

Paella is a traditional Spanish dish, laced with a tomato based broth and bits of chicken, or a variety of seafood. The expensive ingredients are required in small amounts, but rice is inexpensive and forms the bulk of the dish. Other rice recipes of note include those which are more of a casserole, incorporating a creamed soup, such as chicken or mushroom. To this dish, adding a few sliced mushrooms, a bit of meat, seasoning and a brightly colored vegetable are all you need to serve a rave review rice recipe.

Leftovers won’t go to waste when you incorporate these bits and pieces of past meals into a fresh take on dinner. Best of all, your family won’t even notice that the broccoli is making an encore appearance on the dinner plate. Your rice recipes also enjoy the advantage of coming in several varieties. Long grain, jasmine, basmati, brown and wild rice can be mixed and matched for both nutritive and taste appeal. Brown and wild rice are higher in fiber and lower in carbs than regular white rice, so you can adapt your rice recipes to suit dietary restrictions, while passing the taste test. Rice is the perfect foil for gourmet additions, in sufficiently small amounts that keep your food budget intact and your family happy and well nourished.

Creative rice recipes form the basis of much of the world’s cuisines. Now how could I forget rice-filled enchiladas, with meat, tomatoes and peppers? Or rice pudding, sweetened with cinnamon and raisins? Get thee to a rice recipe website and see all of the things you can do with this fabulous and versatile food!