Love Handling Food: A Tapas Tourgasm in España

After leaving Italy, we were excited to make our way to Spain, where we hoped for more variety and cheaper food. Spain certainly did not disappoint!

We started our Spanish food adventure in the coastal Catalonian city of Barcelona, which was a nice break from inland traveling for two California girls. It was here that we tried the wonder of tapas for the first time. Tapas are small side dishes that are fairly cheap, so you do not feel bad ordering two or three at a time. In fact, sometimes tapas are even served complimentary with a drink.They can be as simple as a small portion of chips, or as decadent as goat cheese and tomato on toast. A couple favorite options that we tried, include sweet onions baked in a tomato sauce and stuffed with spiced tuna, and patatas bravas, which are roasted potatoes served with sour cream and a pimiento sauce. To tapas it off, one of the best parts about ordering a variety of these dishes of course, is sharing them.

Besides tapas, there were plenty of main courses that we also enjoyed. Paella, which is a seasoned rice dish served with a variety of options like chicken, vegetables, and seafood, or even a combination of all of these, is a true Spanish staple.We ordered an individual portion, but it was easily big enough for both of us to share.The affordability and generous portion sizes were a nice contrast from what we had experienced in Italy.

Drinks were also a refreshing change in Spain. In the lively, party city of Madrid, we tried the true Spanish Sangria. At a tapas bar called El Tigre, we were served bucket sized sangrias with fresh sliced orages and sprigs of mint, along with free tapas dishes so large they made us wish we had not already eaten dinner. As beer lovers, we were also delighted to stumble upon a cerveceria, which served craft beers from around the world and had a highly decriptive menu regarding flavor, aroma, alcohol content, and color. Helaina, for example ordered a Spanish double malt beer by the name of Voll-Damm, with an amber color and a floral taste. Ianna tried a Belgian with a sweet flavor and high alcohol content, by the name of Urthel from the Leyerth Breweries.

Besides alcoholic beverages, one of our favoite drink experiences was fresh squeezed orange juice. It was an unbelievable change from the carton orange juice we have back in the states, and not only very affordable, but a standard option at most eateries. One thing is certain, buying a juicer when we return home is going to be a new item on our to-do list.

As fans of farmer's markets back in the states, we were also pleased to find fresh food markets were in abundance in Spain. Our minds and appetites were blown away at the Mercat de la Boqueria in Barcelona, which was a huge, open market, that featured everything from fresh produce, to seafood, smoothies, and truffles. If you visit Barcelona, you can't miss it!