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5 Spanish Dishes I Can't Live Without

Tuesday, January 28, 2014
It's no secret that I've fallen madly in love with the gastronomy of Spain. Every week I try new dishes that seduce my palate and further convert me into a Spanish food addict. In addition, the abundance of eggs and potatoes in Spanish cuisine makes it relatively easy for me to eat gluten-free in Madrid! Although it's hard to pick favorites, here are the five Spanish dishes that I simply couldn't live without:

Tortilla de Patatas

Also known as tortilla española, this addictive omelette with potatoes and onions is by far my favorite traditional Spanish dish. I won't bore you with the details of my passionate love for tortilla de patatas because you can read all about it here, but just know that the simplicity of this delectable dish justifies my obsession.



Jamón Ibérico

Where to even begin with this heavenly national obsession. I was never a huge fan of pork back in the States, but coming to Spain has officially converted me. These decadently thin, cured slices of ham put their Italian cousin proscuitto to shame. The best part about this celebrated delicacy is that it undoubtedly tastes good with anything. Nothing quite beats jamón ibérico de bellota (Iberian ham that comes from free range, acorn fed pigs) alongside some Manchego cheese and a glass of Rioja.


Patatas Bravas con Alioli

Patatas bravas are traditionally fried potatoes with a "spicy" tomato sauce poured on top (and by "spicy", I actually mean "mild" considering the majority of Spanish people generally can't stand spicy foods). However, some genius decided to add alioli  (the Spanish version of aioli) atop these already magnificent treats, rendering them completely irresistible.


Paella

It's hard to find the good stuff in Madrid, but my old host mom in Cádiz used to make truly amazing paella. I'm one of those crazy people who hates seafood, so my host mom occasionally spoiled me with chicken and veggie paella that was to die for. I'm still on the hunt for the best paella in Madrid, so please send any recommendations my way!



Huevos Rotos

This is my go-to comfort food, probably because it's the most unhealthy dish that one could possibly imagine. "Huevos rotos" literally means "broken eggs", which refers to fried eggs usually atop french fries and thin slices of jamón. I try not to think about how my chances of cardiac arrest significantly escalate every time I indulge on this highly addictive dish, but #yolo. I walk a lot in Spain, so it's fine, right???


What are some of your favorite Spanish dishes? 
Are there any that you can't live without or are dying to try?


21 comments on "5 Spanish Dishes I Can't Live Without"
  1. all of these were my favorite too! haha oh man i really miss this food

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    1. Thankfully tortilla española and huevos rotos are relatively easy to make at home! It's just a shame that we're not allowed to bring back jamón to the USA :(

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  2. Huevos rotos are definitely my vice here too! I'm convinced I found the BEST ones in Madrid and I eat them literally every weekend. #yolo is right haha

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    1. Oh my goodness, where are the best huevos rotos in Madrid?!? I must know! (Although maybe it's best for my waistline that I don't...)

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    1. More reason for you to come visit me next year... ;)

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  4. Oh gosh... Now I really want huevos rotos... Haha! My favorites are probably espinacas con garbanzos and solomillo al whisky! Mmmm! Love Spanish food!

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    1. Mmmm I love solomillo al whisky! I think it's so much better in the south than it is in Madrid though. More reason for me to visit Andalucía again soon!

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  5. Yummm, all of these sound absolutely delicious, except i'm hesitant about the pork, anything that looks funny or like a real animal is hard for me to try!

    xx
    Marisha

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    1. I was hesitant about the pork at first too... especially when I saw all of the ham legs hanging from the windows of restaurants! It really freaked me out at first, but then I decided to try it and now there's no going back :)

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  6. Do I always say that when I comment? haha sorry, but I really do! They are always so pretty....even the ones of food!

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    1. Gracias chica! I'm just trying to keep up with you!

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  7. OMG when can we eat this? Now? haahahha

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  8. Ohhhh huevos rotos are my jam. I've recently discovered the perfect way to enjoy them at my favorite restaurant. Enjoy aperitivo, a few glasses of wine with dinner and then a copa post-cena, finish the evening with an order of huevos rotos for the perfect tipsy food and hangover prevention. Heavenly.

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    1. That sounds like perfection! I will definitely try that next time :) Huevos rotos never fail!

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  9. I absolutely LOVE Spanish food, and wine! If I lived in Spain I'd be as big as a house! :)

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  10. This is inspiring me to brave the rain and go hunt down some huevos rotos! Yum!!

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  11. I would put homemade salchichón/chorizo (made by my suegros, and it's nowhere CLOSE to the stuff you get in stores) and queso zamorano, a cured sheep's milk cheese made in Zamora (similar to queso manchego, but better, ahem ahem).

    Also it's not a food but Ribera del Duero and Toro reds!

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  12. Looking at all those food, I think it’s really hard not to imagine yourself having cardiac arrest. Aww! Anyway, though they're fatty, there’s nothing wrong with indulging on them every once in a while, right? That huevos rotos looks so delish. :))

    Kate Burton

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