Tapas and pintxos are the name of the game in Spain tour packages – your most important lesson is learning how to order these bite-size dishes to just the right amount and mix. Favourites include fried potatoes with hot sauce, Spanish omelettes, chorizo and variations of ham, most of which are prepared with locally produced olive oil. For hearty meals, paella is a true staple, while seafood dishes along the coast are unbeatable. Finish it all off with churros, beers like Estrella and San Miguel, or the legendary jugs of Sangria to gain maximum strength for the inevitable all-night parties ahead.
Tapas/Pintxos:
Aceitunas (olives)
Gazpacho (cold soup)
Patatas Bravas – fried potatoes and hot sauce
Tortilla Española-Spanish Omelette
Albóndigas meatballs
Chorizo
Jamón: Serrano, Ibérico
Olive oil
Mains:
Paella (saffron rice dish with fish or meat)
Cochinillo suckling pig
Seafood (Mariscos):
Calamares, Octopus
Mussels
Prawns/Shrimps
Bacalao Cod
Dessert:
Chocolate con Churros
Turrón Nougat
Mantecadas sponge cakes
Crema Catalana
Watermelon
Manchego cheese
Chupa Chups lollipops
Beer:
San Miguel, Cruzcampo, Estrella, Mahou, Alhambra,
Wine:
Rioja (white), Tempranillo (red)
Jerez Sherry
Sparkling Cava
Sangria
Spirits:
Anís (aniseed)
Brandy de Jerez
Gin de Menorca
Patxaran
‘free-pour’ alcohol
Courtney Gahan is a serial expat, traveller and freelance writer who has bartered with Moroccan marketeers, seen the sun rise at Angkor Wat and elbowed her way through crowds on NYE in NYC
