So Ive just came back from Madrid, Spain and I have to say it was awesome! Here is a little Spanish food 101 with some help from a Spanish friend who was also there with me.

Lets start with the drinks:

• We gorged on lots of Vermouth. We treat Vermouth like coffee, you have it at 4pm in the afternoon and after dinner. For some reason, in Spain, they never measure their alcohol spirits (i.e. they just pour away in a ‘very generous lethal makes you drunk quickly’ quantity).

In Australia, unless you request a double shot, when you order a
mixed drink, you’re more likely be given a single shot.

In England, they always ask you whether you’d like a single or double.

• Sangria – this is a way of making used of leftover/bad wine. You mix the wine with fruit juice, fruit pieces and lots of ice and usually served in a pitcher/jug.

Sangria

Moving on to Food:

• Jamon Ham – this is a cured pork (aka Ham) and the higher grade Jamon ham is, the pricier it is. The best way to feast on Jamon Ham is to go to one of the Jamon Bar. You can get Jamon ham freshly cut, served with crusty bread (baguette) or by itself.

Jamon hams hanging

• Potato Croquette – as the name says

Potato croquettes

• Paella – a big plate of rice seasoned with safron, stocks, chicken, peas, and lots of seafood (squids/calamari, mussels, shellfish). Madrid’s not the best place to have authentic Paella. Valencia (mediteranian part of Spain) is famous for its Paella. However, since I was in Spain, I made the most of trying as much spanish food as I like.

Seafood Paella

• Tapas – In Spain, Lunch’s where you have your big meal. In the evening, they snack on tapas (little plates of finger food). In Europe, they tend to have a very light dinner starting at 9pm onwards. Tapas dishes range from patata bravas (potato pancake) to black pudding.

Black Pudding (animal blood) served with french toasts

• Churos – deep fried dough (spanish doughnuts) dipped in thick warm chocolate. I had this as breakfast, coffee and dessert . The best place to have Churos in Madrid is Chocolateria de San Gines located in Pasadizo San Gines 5. It’s a really cute cafe which seems to open day and night and hidden in alleyways. Their churos are really fresh!

In front of San Gines Chocolateria

Churos, you can choose thin or thick ones dipped in chocolate sauce

Related posts:

1. Bull Fighting, Madrid – Spain
2. Nice blazers at Madrid, Spain