The symbolic meaning of the new year is recognized around the world, and different people in different places have different ways of commemorating and celebrating the transition. One of the most interesting food-based traditions takes place in Spain.

In this Southern European country, the final 12 seconds of the “old” year are accompanied with a very curious tradition that involves grapes.

As Spaniards watch the year come to a close live, on TV, or in person at Madrid’s Puerta del Sol, people put a single green grape into their mouths at each of the final 12 strokes of the clock on New Year’s Eve.

This tradition isn’t based on any type of religious ceremony or folkloric tradition, but it was actually born as a way of stimulating the grape economy in Spain. In 1909, there was a great surplus of grapes in the southeastern region of Alicante, and the grape growers created and publicized this now-classic tradition.

The 12 grapes are now said to represent good luck in the New Year and are an important part of all Spanish households’ New Year’s Eve traditions.

The post You Won’t Believe This Spanish New Year’s Food Tradition appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

Here are three Spanish sweet treats that are delicious and one-of-a-kind.

Turrones

If there’s one holiday treat that is world-famous outside of Spain, it has to be turron. This candy comes in two varieties, hard and soft, but contains the same ingredients. Made with toasted almonds, egg whites, honey, and sugar, this delicious treat is beloved both in and outside of the country’s borders.

Polvorones

Polvorones are a crumbly shortbread cookie that originates from the southern region of Andalusia. Served inside of a wrapper, it’s important to compress the cookie into a ball with your hand before opening it. If not, it crumbles all over the place and is difficult to eat!

Alfajores

This dessert, which is now especially popular in other Spanish-speaking countries such as Argentina and Uruguay, originated in the times of Moorish rule in the Iberian Peninsula. Consisting of a wafer exterior with an interior consisting of dulce de leche, this sweet sandwich cookie is beloved in southern Spain.

The post Three One-of-a-Kind Spanish Christmas Treats appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

Estrella Galicia

This beer is one of the trendiest of Spain’s lagers, and it’s easy to see why. Brewed in the northwestern region of Galicia, Estrella Galicia is a tasty and versatile beer that’s nice for summer sipping and enjoying with heavier dishes when the weather gets cooler.

Alhambra Reserva 1925

Looking for a more potent beer? Alhambra Reserva 1925 comes from a company based in Granada, whose beautiful Alhambra palace gives its name to the beer. It’s a stronger version of a Bohemian pilsner and works well when paired with food.

Ambar

This beer comes from the northeastern city of Zaragoza and is a classic pale lager that is loved throughout the country. Perfect for sipping with seafood or outside on a warm evening, Ambar is a Spanish favorite.

Basqueland Beer Project SSD

We would be remiss to not mention a craft beer on the list, and Basqueland Beer Project’s SSD double IPA is my favorite one from Spain. Coming from the northern Basque region, this beer is bursting with citrusy and piney hop flavors that will make your mouth water.

The post Taking a Look at Spain’s Best Beers appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

Originating from the country of Spain, where it is a popular side dish in regions like Extremadura and Castilla-La Mancha, this veggie-based offering is delicious, versatile, and it goes so well with all kinds of dishes.

The history of this delicious side dish is fascinating, as it arose as a humble dish that was made with excess vegetables from the harvests collected in these agricultural versions of Spain. Poor farm workers couldn’t afford much more than the leftover vegetables, so they combined them to make something delicious.

Pisto is still enjoyed today. The base of pisto is a mix of sliced vegetables which are combined together in a sauce to make a dish that could be described as the Spanish version of ratatouille. Commonly, you can find tomatoes, onions, eggplant, zucchini, green peppers, red peppers, and even garlic in a common version of pisto.

A healthy dose of olive oil is added to these vegetables, which are then sprinkled with salt and black pepper. The mixture is slowly heated and cooked in a pan on the stove which is covered and prepared at low heat for nearly 2 hours. Sometimes, a fried egg is added on top.

At the end of this cooking time, a delicious pisto is ready to eat. Isn’t it so simple, yet so delicious-sounding?

The post Pisto is the Veggie Side Dish You’ve Always Craved appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

Well, look no further than the La Tomatina festival which is held in Bunyol, Spain every August!

This event is truly one of the most unique food festivals in the world. Instead of only gathering people to taste a certain food or dish, like most food festivals do, participants in La Tomatina don’t only eat the tomatoes which are typical to the Valencia region in Spain, but they also end up chucking them in a messy, fun-filled experience that ends with participants that are soaked in tomato juice and a city that smells like a giant gazpacho.

Participants in La Tomatina are only able to begin with their tomato-throwing bonanza after a participant has climbed to the top of a soapy pole and is able to bring down a ham which has been placed on top. It sounds crazy, but it’s true!

The population of Bunyol multiples greatly as 40,000 people invade its streets on the last Friday of every August to celebrate La Tomatina. In addition to the bizarre tomato-throwing tradition, other food-centric events during the festival include a paella cooking contest to see which participant can make the best version of this classic Valencian dish.

In short, if you love food and fun and don’t mind getting a little bit dirty, La Tomatina should be on your bucket list!

The post Love Tomatoes and Festivals? Look No Further than This Spanish Event appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

As one of the most popular countries in the world for tourists, lots of people have been lucky enough to try some of this country’s weird and wonderful food offerings.

One that has always stuck in my mind after visiting Spain is chorizo al infierno, which literally translates to “hell chorizo.”

Chorizo is a type of Spanish sausage that’s made with pork meat and paprika. Cased in animal intestines, it’s known for its delicious, smoky flavor. Normally, it’s served dried or cut into small slices, but chorizo al infierno is totally different.

The preparation of this Spanish classic is performance art. When you’re served this dish, you might wonder why there’s a piece of uncooked, impaled chorizo on a metal rod on top of a plate of clear liquid on your table.

What you’ll see, though, is that your waiter or waitress is going to ignite this clear liquid (a high-grade alcohol that is impossible to drink) and use its flame to cook your chorizo.

After sitting above the ignited alcohol for a few minutes, your chorizo will be crispy and ready to eat. It’s a show and a delicious treat all in one!

The post You Won’t Believe How This Spanish Sausage is Prepared appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

Pan y Tomate

Spain is known for their utilization of tomatoes in both simple and sophisticated ways. This dish is common in many regions of Southern Spain and comes together very quickly. All you need to do is take a box grater and grate a few tomatoes. Then, rub garlic on the bread to get the essence. Drizzle over olive oil and bake for a few minutes. Spoon on the tomato pulp and season with salt and you’re done!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BkKcmzijThP/?hl=en&tagged=panytomate

Pimientos Padron

Padron peppers are native to Spain and can vary in spice. They are small and can be served very simply. You just need to grill them and sprinkle with salt and you can eat them completely whole. If you can’t find these types of peppers, you can substitute for small sweet peppers.

The post Get Inspiration From Spanish Tapas appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

This citrusy, light cocktail originates from the city of Valencia, Spain. It literally means “Valencian Water.”  It was invented in the 1950s as a simple drink that’s great to enjoy in the warm sun. It’s easy to make and also easy to drink!

So, let’s find out how to make it!

Ingredients

• 3 parts fresh-squeezed orange juice
• 2 parts chilled semi-dry cava sparkling wine
• 1 part vodka
• 1 part gin
• 1 orange
• Ice (optional)

Start off by putting all of the liquid ingredients in a pitcher or a glass. Most people opt to make a larger pitcher of this drink to serve at a party or a get-together, but you can also make an individual version.

Once you’ve added all of the liquid ingredients together, mix them together gently with a spoon or cocktail stirrer.

Cut the orange into slices that you’ll later use to garnish the glass.

After the liquid ingredients have been mixed together, pour the drink into a martini glass. If you’d like, you can add an ice cube or two to the glass to chill and dilute the drink.

Garnish the martini glass with an orange slice, and enjoy!

The post Agua de Valencia is an Easy, Citrusy Cocktail appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

Ingredients

The ingredient list is made of:
1kg baby potatoes cut into half
2 teaspoons sweet paprika
2 tablespoons olive oil
20 green prawns
1 crushed garlic clove
250g chopped chorizo
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
120g baby rocket
250g vine-ripened cherry tomatoes

Peel and devein the prawns, but leave their tails.

For the dressing, you need:
1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika
1 crushed garlic clove
2 teaspoons tomato sauce
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup mayonnaise

Instructions

Set the oven to 357 F degrees and prepare two baking trays.

In a bowl, mix the chili, paprika, oil, and garlic. Add the potatoes in the bowl and stir them. Place them on the tray and cook for 45 minutes.

On the other tray, place the tomatoes. Add oil and roast them for 15 minutes.

In the meantime, you can prepare the dressing. Mix the tomato sauce, paprika, mayonnaise, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice together.

Grab a pan and fry the prawns together with oil and chorizo. Add salt and pepper. Cook them for 3 to 5 minutes.

You can now assemble your salad by combining all the ingredients together and top it off with the dressing.

The post This Spanish Patatas Bravas Salad Is So Delish appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

This country of under 50 million produces some of the best food on Earth. World-renowned foods such as paella, Iberian ham, and chorizo all originated in this Iberian nation.

If you are a foodie that has an interest in Spain and its cuisine, look no further than Lauren Aloise and her Instagram page, @spanishsabores.

Aloise is a chef that was trained at the Hofmann School in Barcelona. However, she now dedicates her time to running food and wine tours of Spain with her company, Devour Tours.

Your mouth will salivate on Aloise´s page as she shares photos of delicious Spanish fare, such as these fresh shrimp.

You will find plenty of inspiration to try your hand at Spanish food in your own kitchen. This healthy salmorejo that Aloise shared on her page is simple, healthy, and delicious!

Finally, we cannot forget than Spanish cuisine is more than just food. Who could forget about wines from world-renowned regions such as La Rioja, Rias Baixas, and Jerez?

Do not be afraid to get lost in this page and do a gastronomic dive into Spain. Buen provecho!

The post Love Spanish Cuisine? This Instagram Account is for You appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

The symbolic meaning of the new year is recognized around the world, and different people in different places have different ways of commemorating and celebrating the transition. One of the most interesting food-based traditions takes place in Spain.

In this Southern European country, the final 12 seconds of the “old” year are accompanied with a very curious tradition that involves grapes.

As Spaniards watch the year come to a close live, on TV, or in person at Madrid’s Puerta del Sol, people put a single green grape into their mouths at each of the final 12 strokes of the clock on New Year’s Eve.

This tradition isn’t based on any type of religious ceremony or folkloric tradition, but it was actually born as a way of stimulating the grape economy in Spain. In 1909, there was a great surplus of grapes in the southeastern region of Alicante, and the grape growers created and publicized this now-classic tradition.

The 12 grapes are now said to represent good luck in the New Year and are an important part of all Spanish households’ New Year’s Eve traditions.

The post You Won’t Believe This Spanish New Year’s Food Tradition appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

Here are three Spanish sweet treats that are delicious and one-of-a-kind.

Turrones

If there’s one holiday treat that is world-famous outside of Spain, it has to be turron. This candy comes in two varieties, hard and soft, but contains the same ingredients. Made with toasted almonds, egg whites, honey, and sugar, this delicious treat is beloved both in and outside of the country’s borders.

Polvorones

Polvorones are a crumbly shortbread cookie that originates from the southern region of Andalusia. Served inside of a wrapper, it’s important to compress the cookie into a ball with your hand before opening it. If not, it crumbles all over the place and is difficult to eat!

Alfajores

This dessert, which is now especially popular in other Spanish-speaking countries such as Argentina and Uruguay, originated in the times of Moorish rule in the Iberian Peninsula. Consisting of a wafer exterior with an interior consisting of dulce de leche, this sweet sandwich cookie is beloved in southern Spain.

The post Three One-of-a-Kind Spanish Christmas Treats appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

Estrella Galicia

This beer is one of the trendiest of Spain’s lagers, and it’s easy to see why. Brewed in the northwestern region of Galicia, Estrella Galicia is a tasty and versatile beer that’s nice for summer sipping and enjoying with heavier dishes when the weather gets cooler.

Alhambra Reserva 1925

Looking for a more potent beer? Alhambra Reserva 1925 comes from a company based in Granada, whose beautiful Alhambra palace gives its name to the beer. It’s a stronger version of a Bohemian pilsner and works well when paired with food.

Ambar

This beer comes from the northeastern city of Zaragoza and is a classic pale lager that is loved throughout the country. Perfect for sipping with seafood or outside on a warm evening, Ambar is a Spanish favorite.

Basqueland Beer Project SSD

We would be remiss to not mention a craft beer on the list, and Basqueland Beer Project’s SSD double IPA is my favorite one from Spain. Coming from the northern Basque region, this beer is bursting with citrusy and piney hop flavors that will make your mouth water.

The post Taking a Look at Spain’s Best Beers appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

Originating from the country of Spain, where it is a popular side dish in regions like Extremadura and Castilla-La Mancha, this veggie-based offering is delicious, versatile, and it goes so well with all kinds of dishes.

The history of this delicious side dish is fascinating, as it arose as a humble dish that was made with excess vegetables from the harvests collected in these agricultural versions of Spain. Poor farm workers couldn’t afford much more than the leftover vegetables, so they combined them to make something delicious.

Pisto is still enjoyed today. The base of pisto is a mix of sliced vegetables which are combined together in a sauce to make a dish that could be described as the Spanish version of ratatouille. Commonly, you can find tomatoes, onions, eggplant, zucchini, green peppers, red peppers, and even garlic in a common version of pisto.

A healthy dose of olive oil is added to these vegetables, which are then sprinkled with salt and black pepper. The mixture is slowly heated and cooked in a pan on the stove which is covered and prepared at low heat for nearly 2 hours. Sometimes, a fried egg is added on top.

At the end of this cooking time, a delicious pisto is ready to eat. Isn’t it so simple, yet so delicious-sounding?

The post Pisto is the Veggie Side Dish You’ve Always Craved appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

Well, look no further than the La Tomatina festival which is held in Bunyol, Spain every August!

This event is truly one of the most unique food festivals in the world. Instead of only gathering people to taste a certain food or dish, like most food festivals do, participants in La Tomatina don’t only eat the tomatoes which are typical to the Valencia region in Spain, but they also end up chucking them in a messy, fun-filled experience that ends with participants that are soaked in tomato juice and a city that smells like a giant gazpacho.

Participants in La Tomatina are only able to begin with their tomato-throwing bonanza after a participant has climbed to the top of a soapy pole and is able to bring down a ham which has been placed on top. It sounds crazy, but it’s true!

The population of Bunyol multiples greatly as 40,000 people invade its streets on the last Friday of every August to celebrate La Tomatina. In addition to the bizarre tomato-throwing tradition, other food-centric events during the festival include a paella cooking contest to see which participant can make the best version of this classic Valencian dish.

In short, if you love food and fun and don’t mind getting a little bit dirty, La Tomatina should be on your bucket list!

The post Love Tomatoes and Festivals? Look No Further than This Spanish Event appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

As one of the most popular countries in the world for tourists, lots of people have been lucky enough to try some of this country’s weird and wonderful food offerings.

One that has always stuck in my mind after visiting Spain is chorizo al infierno, which literally translates to “hell chorizo.”

Chorizo is a type of Spanish sausage that’s made with pork meat and paprika. Cased in animal intestines, it’s known for its delicious, smoky flavor. Normally, it’s served dried or cut into small slices, but chorizo al infierno is totally different.

The preparation of this Spanish classic is performance art. When you’re served this dish, you might wonder why there’s a piece of uncooked, impaled chorizo on a metal rod on top of a plate of clear liquid on your table.

What you’ll see, though, is that your waiter or waitress is going to ignite this clear liquid (a high-grade alcohol that is impossible to drink) and use its flame to cook your chorizo.

After sitting above the ignited alcohol for a few minutes, your chorizo will be crispy and ready to eat. It’s a show and a delicious treat all in one!

The post You Won’t Believe How This Spanish Sausage is Prepared appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

Pan y Tomate

Spain is known for their utilization of tomatoes in both simple and sophisticated ways. This dish is common in many regions of Southern Spain and comes together very quickly. All you need to do is take a box grater and grate a few tomatoes. Then, rub garlic on the bread to get the essence. Drizzle over olive oil and bake for a few minutes. Spoon on the tomato pulp and season with salt and you’re done!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BkKcmzijThP/?hl=en&tagged=panytomate

Pimientos Padron

Padron peppers are native to Spain and can vary in spice. They are small and can be served very simply. You just need to grill them and sprinkle with salt and you can eat them completely whole. If you can’t find these types of peppers, you can substitute for small sweet peppers.

The post Get Inspiration From Spanish Tapas appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

This citrusy, light cocktail originates from the city of Valencia, Spain. It literally means “Valencian Water.”  It was invented in the 1950s as a simple drink that’s great to enjoy in the warm sun. It’s easy to make and also easy to drink!

So, let’s find out how to make it!

Ingredients

• 3 parts fresh-squeezed orange juice
• 2 parts chilled semi-dry cava sparkling wine
• 1 part vodka
• 1 part gin
• 1 orange
• Ice (optional)

Start off by putting all of the liquid ingredients in a pitcher or a glass. Most people opt to make a larger pitcher of this drink to serve at a party or a get-together, but you can also make an individual version.

Once you’ve added all of the liquid ingredients together, mix them together gently with a spoon or cocktail stirrer.

Cut the orange into slices that you’ll later use to garnish the glass.

After the liquid ingredients have been mixed together, pour the drink into a martini glass. If you’d like, you can add an ice cube or two to the glass to chill and dilute the drink.

Garnish the martini glass with an orange slice, and enjoy!

The post Agua de Valencia is an Easy, Citrusy Cocktail appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

Ingredients

The ingredient list is made of:
1kg baby potatoes cut into half
2 teaspoons sweet paprika
2 tablespoons olive oil
20 green prawns
1 crushed garlic clove
250g chopped chorizo
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
120g baby rocket
250g vine-ripened cherry tomatoes

Peel and devein the prawns, but leave their tails.

For the dressing, you need:
1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika
1 crushed garlic clove
2 teaspoons tomato sauce
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup mayonnaise

Instructions

Set the oven to 357 F degrees and prepare two baking trays.

In a bowl, mix the chili, paprika, oil, and garlic. Add the potatoes in the bowl and stir them. Place them on the tray and cook for 45 minutes.

On the other tray, place the tomatoes. Add oil and roast them for 15 minutes.

In the meantime, you can prepare the dressing. Mix the tomato sauce, paprika, mayonnaise, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice together.

Grab a pan and fry the prawns together with oil and chorizo. Add salt and pepper. Cook them for 3 to 5 minutes.

You can now assemble your salad by combining all the ingredients together and top it off with the dressing.

The post This Spanish Patatas Bravas Salad Is So Delish appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

This country of under 50 million produces some of the best food on Earth. World-renowned foods such as paella, Iberian ham, and chorizo all originated in this Iberian nation.

If you are a foodie that has an interest in Spain and its cuisine, look no further than Lauren Aloise and her Instagram page, @spanishsabores.

Aloise is a chef that was trained at the Hofmann School in Barcelona. However, she now dedicates her time to running food and wine tours of Spain with her company, Devour Tours.

Your mouth will salivate on Aloise´s page as she shares photos of delicious Spanish fare, such as these fresh shrimp.

You will find plenty of inspiration to try your hand at Spanish food in your own kitchen. This healthy salmorejo that Aloise shared on her page is simple, healthy, and delicious!

Finally, we cannot forget than Spanish cuisine is more than just food. Who could forget about wines from world-renowned regions such as La Rioja, Rias Baixas, and Jerez?

Do not be afraid to get lost in this page and do a gastronomic dive into Spain. Buen provecho!

The post Love Spanish Cuisine? This Instagram Account is for You appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.