Traditional Spanish Food Archives

Ca l’Estevet, traditional Catalan and Spanish food in Barcelona

The restaurant Ca l’Estevet is that restaurant you choose when you want to eat typical Catalan and Spanish food, when you do not want to risk the event because you have guests who do not know the city, and because you want to have a good meal with Spanish food on a traditional restaurant, quiet and with quality. Safe bet I would say.

The first impression is always to arrive at a classic, where time passes slowly and it seems that the vertiginous changes that the city has undergone in the last years have not arrived there; that is a unique pleasure for those who are local, and an unequal opportunity for outsiders to find something essential in our cultural life.

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18 September, 2017 Nuria Canal Leave a comment

Food culture, Shopping in Barcelona, Spanish Christmas Food, Spanish Culture, Traditional Spanish Food

Turrones – traditional Christmas sweets from Spain

Christmas is a time for trying traditional sweets like polvorones (an almond shortbread) candied fruits (peaches, apricots and apples) or finally delicious nougat bars named turrones. Today we talk about the nougat.

Turron en La Campana

Tradition

Spain is recognized as a second producer of almonds worldwide and as a country with one of the highest rates of its’ consumption as well. Since 16th century Spain had been producing many vareties of confectionery based on almonds: sugared almonds, marzipan, almond cakes, shortbreads and nougat bars (turrones).

The nougat stems from south of Spain, where almonds and honey (main ingredients of turrones) had beed brought and rooted by Arabic settlers. An interesting fact is that name turrón may derive from a Latin word torrere (to toast) or an Arabic turun (a dessert). Continue reading →

24 November, 2016 Nuria Canal Leave a comment

Catalan tradition, Food culture, Food Lovers recommendation, Gastronomic Culture, Markets in Barcelona, Shopping in Barcelona, Spanish Culture, Spanish Food, Traditional Spanish Food

5 of the best local shops in Barcelona

Do you want to visit the most authentic stores in the city? Follow our recommendations. We chose 5 places with amazing histories and respect for tradition.

1. Mercado Gotico, Avinguda de la Catedral, 6

The first step is Mercado Gothico. The market stalls are fulfilled with antiques and second hand articles. You will find here beautiful old ceramics, dolls, silver and other precious trinkets. The market is open all year on Thursdays, except for August.

Mercat Gothic in Barcelona

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4 November, 2016 Nuria Canal Leave a comment

All Saints Day in Spain, Castanyada, Food culture, Food Lovers recommendation, Gastronomic Culture, Spanish Culture, Spanish Food, Traditional Spanish Food

Castanyada – chestnut time in Catalonia

Castanyada is a Catalan festival originally dedicated to the memory of our ancestors. Catalans celebrate these days with a special focus on eating typical for this part of the year goodies. What goodies?

Origins

The origins of Castanyada are related to Christian and pagan tradition of celebrating people who passed. Depends on the region of Spain, people treat this part of the year differently. The main way to celebrate these days was to visit family’s graves and light a candle. Some historical sources say that Castanyada was a time, when people who had to ring the church’s bell for many hours during the night (to remind others to pray for deceased) had to maintain their energy through eating seasonal specialties – chestnuts, sweet potatoes, marzipan candies with a finish of sweet wine called Muscadell. Thanks to this, Barcelona in the time of Catanyada has to offer great food specialties!

Celebrations

La Castanyada in Spanish means chestnut time. The name is related directly to the word castanyes which exactly means chestnuts. As we said, during this period of the year people from Catalonia change typical seasonal food into traditional delicatessen. Apart from roasted chestnuts you will find sweet marzipan candies called panellets.

Panallets in Barcelona.

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28 October, 2016 Nuria Canal Leave a comment

Food culture, Food Lovers recommendation, Gastronomic Culture, Spanish Culture, Spanish Food, Traditional Spanish Food

Autumnal Catalan tradition… Wild mushroom hunting.

Today we want to tell you about an autumnal Spanish tradition, which guides whole families, tourists and adventure enthusiasts to dimmed, deep woods.

Hunting mushrooms for Catalans is a way of spending weekend mornings with family. For local boletaires is a perfect moment to show their talents and for tourists is just a great experience of tasting pure Spanish culture.

Bolet is the Catalan word for mushrooms. When you come to Spain in the season of hunting, it’s sure that you’ll see restaurants’ and bars’ menus filled with dishes based on all edible variations of bolets.

Spaniards as a nation of people who pay an exceptional attention to the culinary art, discovered in picking mushrooms a true passion!

An example of person, whose experience reaches more than 50 years is Llorenç Petrás, an icon. His market stall at La Boqueria is a legend! When you come to Barcelona, you have to go there, at least to see how somebody can care about the business.

petras la boqueria

Llorenç Petrás at La Boqueria, photo by: Aneta Maciejewska

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21 October, 2016 Nuria Canal Leave a comment

Catalan wines, Coctail bars in Barcelona, Drinks in Barcelona, Food culture, Food Lovers recommendation, Gastronomic Culture, Night life in Barcelona, Spanish Culture, Spanish Food, Spanish wines, The best bars in Barcelona, The best restaurants in Barcelona, Traditional Spanish Food

Jamón Iberico in Barcelona – our recommendations

Autumn has appeared and Barcelona is changing along…

Streets are getting quieter, sun is shining less clearly but still enough to enjoy a cup of coffee outside of the bar. Evenings however, became chilly, so when it comes to dinner, it is important to choose a warm and pleasant place.

Last time we talked about Jamon Iberico, where we explained why this product is so original and important for Spanish gastronomic culture. This time, we would like to share our recommendations of two restaurants with great quality food and equally good atmosphere.

Casa Alfonso

Casa Alfonso Barcelona

Casa Alfonso is located between Eixample and El Born areas, next to metro Urquinaona. This 80 year old restaurant has several seats outside, and much more inside.

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6 October, 2016 Nuria Canal Leave a comment

Food culture, Food Lovers recommendation, Gastronomic Culture, Spanish Culture, Spanish Food, Traditional Spanish Food

Jamón ibérico, cured Spanish specialty

Do you recognize this nutty flavor ham, cut directly in front of you eyes? Do you know the reason why this ham is so appreciated by gourmets? Thanks to Spanish tradition, we can tell you a story about… Jamón ibérico.

jamon-iberico

Photo by FLC

It is a type of cured ham produced in Iberian Peninsula, especially in Spain and Portugal. According to Spain’s Denominación de Origen principles related to food products, jamón ibérico has to be made from black Iberian pigs or cross-bred pigs as long as they are at least 50% ibérico.

iberian-pigs

Iberian pigs; Photo by: http://www.spanish-passion.com

The reason why Jamón ibérico is perceived as the best product of Spain, concerns a specific process of production.

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29 September, 2016 Nuria Canal

Food culture, Food Lovers recommendation, Gastronomic Culture, Spanish Culture, Spanish Food, Traditional Spanish Food

Mató, Catalans’ favourite cheese for dessert

Spain is notorious fot its’ diversified selection of cheese…

Maturated, mold, curd – here you can find whatever you need. Today we want to talk about a curd cheese called Mató.

Mató is an original product of Catalunya. This amazing quality cheese tastes a little bit like Ricotta… But the way how Catalans prepare it, makes Mató an absolutely refined local specialty.

Mató is a whey cheese, produced from cow’s or goat’s milk. A taste of Mató is very specific because manufacturers don’t use salt during the process of production.

This sweet, soft, milky, slightly granular but spreadable cheese is used by Catalans to prepare their traditional desserts called Mel y mató.

miel-y-mato

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16 September, 2016 Nuria Canal Leave a comment

Breakfast in Barcelona, Food culture, Food Lovers recommendation, Gastronomic Culture, Markets in Barcelona, Spanish Food, Traditional Spanish Food

Breakfast at La Boqueria

Hello Food Lovers!

If you come to visit Barcelona, you probably already know that La Boqueria market is one of the must-see places in the city.

This market is notorious for its’ long history, fantastic location and of course the gastronomic offer.

Today we want to show you another site of La Boqueria.

The best what you can do to feel the spirit of Catalan atmosphere, is to go to the market in the early morning and have traditional Spanish breakfast. The best hour to visit La Boqueria is 8-9 a.m.

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5 September, 2016 Nuria Canal Leave a comment

Drinks in Barcelona, Food culture, Food Lovers recommendation, Gastronomic Culture, Spanish Culture, Spanish Food, The best bars in Barcelona, Traditional Spanish Food

The best horchaterias in Barcelona

Hello food lovers!

Do you remember our last article about horchata?

Horchata is a vegan drink prepared from a special tuber called chufa, really popular around Spain (mainly in Valencia and Catalunya) . The classic recipe is based on chufas, sugar and water.

Today we will share with you our list of the best horchaterías in Barcelona!

1.Orxateria El Tio Che

Location: Rambla del Poblenou 44

This Horchatería is placed in Poblenou. Poblenou is an area filled with cafeterias, restaurants and bars. On the main track called La Rambla you can find Horchateria El Tio Che. This place is a traditional, family-run business with a long history. The company started the production of horchata in 1912. For all these years Horchateria El Tio Che gained recognition among locals and people who visit this part of Barcelona.

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27 August, 2016 Nuria Canal Leave a comment

Llorenç Petrás at La Boqueria, photo by: Aneta Maciejewska

Photo by FLC

Iberian pigs; Photo by: http://www.spanish-passion.com

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