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Catalonian recipes

Culinary delights to make yourself

The first cookbook to be written in a Romanic language was written in Catalan; the book "El Libre de Sent Soví". Since this recipe collection appeared in the 14th Century, the local Catalan cuisine has been an important part of the Catalan culture.

With our original Catalonian and Spanish recipes you can enhance your stay in Barcelona, or enjoy a bit of the Spanish way of life when you get back home.

The typical feature of Catalonian cuisine is the combining of ingredients from the sea and the mountains - the so-called Mar i Muntanya dishes (sea and mountain). A characteristic example is shrimp with chicken. Sausage specialties are also typical, which are just as popular throughout Spain. Xoriço paprika salami (chorizo) - produced from the black Iberian Cerdo pig - is most often used as an ingredient in Catalonian dishes. Desserts are usually very sweet - and of course very tasty...

Frequently used ingredients are almonds, tomatoes, onions, eggplants, peppers, rice, pork meat (occasionally beef), olives and olive oil, cherry, cherry vinegar, pepper, seafood, squid (or in Catalonian: calamari), prawns and all kinds of fish.

Catalonian cuisine is also influenced by the neighboring regions, and of course the opposite is also true. Thus, the paella originated in Valencia and was prepared with chicken. In Catalonia, the paella has developed into a Mar i Muntanya meal by adding prawns as an ingredient or cooking with seafood. In general, Catalonian cuisine is a Mediterranean cuisine with lots of fresh vegetables, fish and seafood, but not too much meat. Nevertheless you can find a variety of different meat dishes on the menus of restaurants.

Drinks

You can happily drink a beer with your meal in Catalonia, which has somewhat taken the place of wine. White wine is rather untypical for Catalonia, but is also often consumed. The most famous wine region is Penedès, where grapes have been grown from 4th Century BC. Just around the mountain monastery of Montserrat, the Priorat wine region is located, which produces mainly red wines.
Just as well known as the wines from Penedès is Cava, the Catalonian sparkling wine. As an aperitif a sherry is often enough.
If a Catalonian wants to avoid alcohol, he usually drinks plain water without gas.

Delicious tapas recipes
Lots of delicious tapas recipes

Tapas are now an integral part of the Barcelona lifestyle. Here you will find lots of delicious tapas recipes and facts about tapas culture.


Recipe of a Catalan Paella
Catalan paella

The paella (pan) is more than a simple one-pot meal for farmers and fishermen. It may even be a culinary work of art.


Recipe of Cazpacho, a cold vegetable soup
Gazpacho

Lots of vegetables, which in this soup are not cooked. In this way the gazpacho proves a culinary delight.


Recipe of Serrano ham with tomato and bread
Serrano ham with tomato and bread

Extremely easy and fast to prepare, ideal for in between meals or as a tapa.


Recipe of tortilla de patatas - omelette with potatoes
Tortilla de patatas

The tortilla de Patatas (potato omelette) is prepared quickly and easily. Nevertheless, it is very tasty and can be eaten either cold or hot.


Recipe of a Catalan Mar i Muntanya meal
Mar i Muntanya

Between the sea and the mountains: As Mar i Muntanya dishes are called, skillfully combining ingredients from the sea and the mountains. With our Catalonian recipe suggestion for a sea and mountain dish you can practically taste them.


Recipes for sauces for a barbeque
Sauces for a barbeque

People like to barbeque here, as in many European countries. A couple of delicious homemade sauces can complement the food enormously.


Recipe for Churros - fryed moulded
Churros

Churros are available to buy at every corner stand. They are usually very oily, but delicious to enjoy.


Recipe for a Crema Catalana, a Catalan dessert
Crema Catalana

You can very easily become addicted to this really typical Catalonian dessert!


Recipe for Panellets - Sweet potato chocolates
Panellets

Panellets, sweet potato pralines, are very special tasty treats from Catalonia.


Recipe for Turron - almond nougat
Turron

Turron come in different variations and can be bought on almost every corner in Barcelona. It is always well received as a souvenir for the folks back home: very sweet but very tasty!


Recipe of Sangría - a drink for hot summer days
Sangría

Especially on hot summer days, an ice-cold sangria is very tasty.


Catalan recipes and tapas recipes

Paella is the classic of the Spanish-Catalonian dishes.

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Catalan recipes and tapas recipes

The Catalonian-Spanish recipes presented here have been tested by us all.

Recipe for tortilla de patatas

The “tortilla is an easy-to-prepare meal, but still very tasty.

Tapas recipes

Tapas are an essential part of the Catalonian culture. Here you will find lots of tasty tapas recipes.


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