Hola neighbors! Since moving to Spain, besides enjoying the sun and beaches with things like a recipe for cooking mitten crabs, my biggest joy has been exploring the food! 😋 I’ve discovered that many Spanish dishes aren’t that hard to make at home. Plus, there’s nothing like a home-cooked meal, and it’s a great way to entertain friends. Today, I want to share a few of my favorite and most classic Spanish recipes. Hope this helps you all out!
First up has to be the national tapas dish—Tortilla de Patatas (Spanish Omelette)! It’s a staple in every Spanish household, a true comfort food. It’s perfect for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or as a snack with drinks—incredibly versatile. It looks simple, but the key to making a delicious one lies in the ratio of potatoes to eggs and getting the heat just right. Here is the ingredient list I usually use:
| Ingredient | Suggested Amount | Notes |
|---|
| Potatoes | 2-3 medium-sized | Thinly sliced |
| Eggs | 5-6 | Well beaten |
| Onion | Half an onion | Chopped, for added flavor |
| Olive Oil | A generous amount | Enough to shallow-fry the potatoes |
| Salt | To taste | |
Next, after trying things like a recipe for Spanish sweet rice balls, let’s talk about the world-famous Seafood Paella! This is the ultimate showstopper for any dinner party. While there are many varieties, the seafood paella is the one we’re most familiar with. Its soul lies in the broth and saffron, which give it that beautiful golden color and an irresistible, unique aroma. For beginners, I recommend buying the special paella rice and seasoning packets from the supermarket—it’ll greatly increase your chances of success!
Besides these two main dishes, for which you can even find recipes in Spanish, there are many other simple and delicious tapas, like Gambas al Ajillo (garlic shrimp)—which I’m a bit tired of eating—and Jamón Ibérico with melon. You can find these recipes all over the internet, but the key is to be adventurous and try! After a few tries, you’ll get the hang of it. You can find all the ingredients easily at major supermarkets like Mercadona or Carrefour.
Do you have any go-to Spanish dishes? Or any secret cooking tips to share? Feel free to leave a comment below to discuss, and let’s all become culinary masters and conquer the Spanish kitchen!
