Inside Student BlogsFood Appreciation PostBarcelona, Spring 2013
If you couldn’t tell by my thorough description of the Calçotada in one of my previous posts, I am a die-hard foodie. Since coming to Barcelona, that realization has never been more clear to me. I find myself constantly talking about food and daydreaming about what the night’s dinner could possibly be. I have truly eaten like a queen here so far, and nearly all of the credit is to my host mom’s phenomenal cooking skills, generosity and care for the students she takes in. It is common for my roommate and I to be served five-course meals.
She often tells us the food is “muy típica de Cataluña” or that it is “muy común en España.” I’m the type of person that takes tons of pictures of the food I eat, so I thought I’d take the opportunity to tell you about some of the dishes I’ve gotten to try since being here.
There are so many foods not depicted here and still so much more to try. Perhaps I will have to make a Food Appreciation Post Sequel before the end of these four months…but for now, enjoy!
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- There is a proud coffee culture here and a special way to order it. In this picture is the standard café con leche, which is half expresso and half milk. A cortado is a smaller version of just an expresso shot with very little milk. Café con hielo is iced coffee. For the brave souls, there is a carajillo, which is coffee with either whiskey or Bailey’s.
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- Pan con tamate is just that: tomato with bread. With a little drizzle of oil and a dash of salt, you have a great appetizer and sandwhich base. I have eaten this typical Catalan side at least every other day. I do not tire of it.
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- Tortilla de patatas is one of Spain’s national dishes, and it was my first dinner upon arriving in Barcelona. Potato, onion and egg. It´s so simple, I just might make this back home.
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- Spain sure does love protein and carbs. These trays of chicken, shrimp and mussels were just from one night’s dinner. There was also crawfish accompanying it, although it is not displayed in the picture.
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- The most common type of meat here is the famed “jamón.” It is the one thing I know I’ll miss dearly when I leave. It just doesn’t get much better than cured thinly sliced meat. The pickled white asparagus on this appetizer plate wasn’t bad either.
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- My host mom told me these were the freshest ‘gambas’ (shrimp) of the market. When I asked her how she knew, she pointed out to me that they were still alive and kicking.
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- The calamari here in Barcelona is fabulous. This fried version was delicious, but my favorite that I’ve tried here is ‘calamari a la plancha,’ which is the grilled/baked version. Calamari is a very textural food, and here it is soft and tender but still chewy enough.
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- Flan is just one great heap of syrupy custardy goodness, and Spain knows how to make ‘em good.
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- Behold: a homemade seafood paella. My host mom whipped it up with calamari, mussels and crawfish. If you’re not convinced homestays are the best thing ever, this should clear all doubts.
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- Yeah, this exists here.
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- In my college town back home, one of my favorite refreshments was the Asian-influenced boba tea (bubble tea). I had been craving it in Barcelona, but then I found Bubbolito’s off Las Ramblas. Hot or cold teas, milk teas, frappuccinos, smoothies — all with pearls (tapioca balls). I was in heaven when I found it, and the owner was very friendly and helpful with my Spanish. They even have a combo deal that include a crepe!
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- My host mom asked my roommate and I to cook her food we typically eat at home, which is of course Mexican food. I made quesadillas and my roommate made the guacamole. Let’s just say my host mom wasn’t exactly a fan…she loves Spanish food, but not this type.
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![Who needs Willy Wonka's golden ticket when I have a chocolate one that grants me entry to the Museu Xocolata? The chocolate museum was "chock" full of fun facts and amazing edible statues. The best part was the café in the front that served hot chocolate. Normally, hot chocolate [traditionally served with churros] here has a sort of pudding taste to it, but the museum's was a rich blend of dark chocolate thick enough to lay a spoon on.](http://blogs.iesabroad.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/DSC_0598-150x150.jpg "Chocolate Ticket")
- Who needs Willy Wonka’s golden ticket when I have a chocolate one that grants me entry to the Museu Xocolata? The chocolate museum was “chock” full of fun facts and amazing edible statues. The best part was the café in the front that served hot chocolate. Normally, hot chocolate [traditionally served with churros] here has a sort of pudding taste to it, but the museum’s was a rich blend of dark chocolate thick enough to lay a spoon on.
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- The wine culture here is a fundamental part of socializing in Spain. On the left is a glass of cava, which is a type of champagne that is exclusively produced in the region of Spain.
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- You will never starve in my host mother’s home. This is a typical dinner for my roommate and I, and she is always telling us to “eat more.”
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- My host mother’s go-to place for pizza is Domino’s. She calls it the “pizzeria” that all of her past students loved. One time she decided to complement it with salmon and mussels. If you don’t find this ironically funny, you have no sense of humor.
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- IES had a “Tapas Contest,” and this was my entry. It is named the “wine bath” because I mixed jamón with mató (a typical cheese similar to ricotta) and honey, spread it over baguette slices, poached peaches and pears in wine, and then sprinkled on a walnut garnish.
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- This market is one of Barcelona’s main tourist attractions, but I constantly find myself here trying exotic fruits, cooked snacks and natural fruit juices.
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- One of the most popular products at La Boqueria is a varied selection of fruit juices. On the left here is raspberry coconut, and on the left is mango. For 1-2 euro, you can’t find a better natural juice. And psst, if you go right before close, the vendor may give you a 2-for-1 deal.
Also, make sure to check out my fellow blogger Jack’s video post about a Middle Eastern restaurant I often visit in El Raval neighborhood. He’s the one who introduced me to it, and now I can’t resist going at least once a week.
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