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Autonomous regions of Spain

All from Spain, excluding the golden bottles of rapeseed oil

In this category you will find recipes from mainland Spain, the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands. Some of the recipes might be strange or unusual but hopefully they will give you some ideas and inspiration.

Spanish cuisine is very diverse and has numerous regional specialities as well as regional variations of standard Spanish dishes. I suspect that this is due to the varying terrain of the country, for example, beef and cheese from cows' milk are more readily available in the lush, green, north-west whereas in hot and dry Andalucía you are more likely to find lamb and goats' milk cheese. Fish plays an important part in the Spanish diet and the variety of readily available fish is amazing. Unfortunately, it can be quite difficult if you are a vegetarian to find suitable dishes in Spain, but many recipes can be adapted so that you can enjoy Spanish food at home.

A word about garlic quantities. I am a garlic fanatic and often overstate the amount of garlic necessary. Everyone is different and even looking through Spanish recipe books, you will find that individual authors have differing views on the amount to be used for a particular recipe. Most Spanish savoury dishes include garlic, especially in recipes from the south, but you can use as much or as little as you like. However, please try to not leave it out totally. Many people who like garlic are worried about 'garlic breath' (it is not known as the 'stinking rose' for nothing!). If you are worried, just chew on some fresh parsley or anything else that is high in chlorophyll.

Spanish Ingredients in the UK

We also have a list of suppliers of Spanish ingredients and encyclopedic Spanish cheese section, categorised by region.

DOP ingredients

DOP stands for 'Denominación de Origen Protegida' which in the UK we know as 'Protected Designation of Origin' (PDO). Under the EU agricultural product quality policy, this "covers agricultural products and foodstuffs which are produced, processed and prepared in a given geographical area using recognised know-how". The following list of Spanish ingredients are those which are registered as DOP. Note that DOP wines are not included in the list.

Cheese

Fruit and Vegetables

Meat and Fish

Oil and Butter

Miscellaneous products

IGP ingredients

IGP stands for 'Indicación Geográfica Protegida' which in the UK we know as 'Protected Geographical Indication' (PGI). Under the EU agricultural product quality policy, this "covers agricultural products and foodstuffs closely linked to the geographical area. At least one of the stages of production, processing or preparation takes place in the area.". The following list of Spanish ingredients are those which are registered as IGP.

Cheese

Fruit and Vegetables

Meat and fish

Miscellaneous products

ETG ingredients

ETG stands for 'Especialidad Tradicional Garantizada' which in the UK is known as 'traditional speciality guaranteed (TSG). It "highlights traditional character, either in the composition or means of production".

DO ingredients

DO stands for Denominación de Origen which translates as ‘name of origin’. The Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA - Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación) regulates the quality of Spanish foodstuffs via a labelling system which establishes, among other things, a DO for the country's highest quality produce. A semi-autonomous governing body (Consejo Regulador) exists for each region and for each food type, comprised of skilled, impartial members who investigate the quality, ingredients and production process of each product, ensuring they attain specific quality levels. They report to a central council at national government level but are normally based in the largest population centre of a given region and are responsible for enforcing its geographical limits. Products labelled Denominación de Origen, apart from being of superior quality, are expected to carry specific characteristics of geographical region or individual producer and be derived from raw materials originating within the region. The following Spanish ingredients are those which are registered as DO.

SPANISH RECIPES