International Cooking 2 Spain & Portugal

International Cooking: A Culinary Journey, 2E

Chapter 2Spain and Portugal

International Cooking: A Culinary Journey:, 2EPatricia Heyman

2© 2012, 2003 Pearson Education

Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458. All Rights Reserved.

arrived about 200 BC introduced grapes, wine, garlic,

wheat, and olives

HistoryRomans




arrived in eighth century brought many types of fruits and

vegetables - citrus fruits, watermelon, pomegranates, grapes, artichokes, spinach, eggplants, dates, almonds, marzipan, herbs and spices, nutmeg, saffron, pepper, honey

introduced marinating, frying, combining sweet with savory

Moors (Arabs from North Africa)




in the late 1400s brought new foods including

tomatoes, corn, potatoes, sweet peppers, and chocolate from the New World

Christopher Columbus and other explorers returned

from the New World




Spain makes up five-sixths Portugal is remaining one-sixth

TopographyIberian Peninsula




Atlantic Ocean borders Spain on the northwest

Only eight miles of water separates Africa from the south of Spain

France borders Spain on the northeast

Portugal joins on the west Mediterranean lies to the

south




create difficult terrain caused isolation Pyrenees Mountains in northeast

form border with France

Mountains in Northwest and Northeast




Climate

hot, sunny summers cold winters southern areas near

Mediterranean Sea have warmer climate

mountainous regions have colder climate

Portugal’s climate is milder because ocean breezes temper it




Braising

Frying

Grilling

Cooking Methods




Although cooks prepare many of the same dishes throughout Spain and Portugal, the recipes vary significantly in different regions.

Regions




located in the northwest simple food fine produce lots of seafood known for the empanada, a meat

pie or turnover with a soft, flaky crust

hearty food matches the harsh climate

Galicia




dominates central Spain sparse population sheep thrive olla podrida - a casserole

containing almost anything that can be stewed

La ManchaLa Mancha




located on the eastern coast bordering the Mediterranean Sea

rice, oranges and other citrus fruits, olives, and grapes

rice-based dishes paella - named for the pot in which

it is cooked, paella is a casserole of saffron-flavored rice with a variety of meats, chicken, seafood, and vegetables

ValenciaValencia




lies in southern Spain fried foods Gazpacho, the famous cold

tomato vegetable soup cloves, cumin, cinnamon,

and other spices

AndalusiaAndalusia




Situated in the west farmland raising lots of pigs pork dishes, sausages, and

cured meats like serrano ham

Extremadura




ocean breezes create a milder climate

many crops including potatoes, tomatoes, and corn

seafood grapes for wine and port

PortugPortugalal




Cuisine strong emphasis on the use of

fresh ingredients simple preparations the flavors of the foods stand

out within each dish often use parsley, garlic, and

saffron




Interior Regions lamb, mutton, goat, and pork cured ham, serrano, sausages

Coastal Areas seafood

fresh or salted cod, sardines, and tuna in Portugal

anchovies, cod, squid, and many types of shellfish in Spain




made from cow, sheep, and goat milk, or a combination of all three

different regions specialize in certain types of cheeses

Spanish government regulates the production of some cheeses. There are currently twelve Designation of Origin (DO) cheeses in Spain.

High Quality Cheeses




more herbs and spices than the Spanish

lots of fresh cilantro more cream and butter

than the Spanish

Portuguese Use




small snacks or appetizers served in bars as a snack in the late morning and in the late afternoon and/or early evening

Tapas




Breakfast - eaten away from home

comida - main meal eaten midday consists of soup or salad, a fish or

tortilla course, some type of meat, followed by dessert that usually consists of fruit

cena - light supper

Meals




Spain and Portugal produce lots of wine

Portugal makes excellent port Spain known for sherry

Sherry and port are fortified wines.

Alcoholic Beverages

Food

International Cooking 2 Spain & Portugal