Casa La Sierrecilla
Eating out in Andalucia, Spain
Spain is an excellent destination for those who are truly interested
in good food. In Andalucia the emphasis is on the freshest of ingredients,
simply prepared so that the quality can be really appreciated. The Mediterranean
diet, with its emphasis on fresh fruit and vegetables, exquisite seafood and
extra-virgin olive oil is one of the healthiest in the world.
In addition, what really makes eating out in Spain different from anywhere else is the sheer enjoyment and informality that prevails in the restaurants and bars. Here you will find no hushed silences or pretentious surroundings, just family and friends enjoying each others' company. What we particularly appreciate is that children are welcome everywhere, even in the smartest of restaurants. The staff are always happy to prepare something special for their youngest guests. Spanish children stay up as late as their parents, particularly in the summer, and they learn to appreciate good food at an early age
Everyone is familiar with paella, that classic of
Spanish cooking, but properly made with Spanish short-grain rice, saffron, and
the freshest of seafood it is an unforgettable experience. Gazpacho is also well
known, but have you tried the Antequeran “porra”, a thicker type of Gazpacho
with Serrano ham?
Moorish spices are heavily used in Spanish cooking - a reminder of Spain's Arab past - and they add a delicious but subtle touch to meat dishes, from “pinchitos” (small kebabs) to casseroles. Most meat is simply prepared on the grill or barbecue, flavoured only with olive oil and garlic. A favourite with children is always “pollo al ajillo” - tiny pieces of chicken cooked with lots of garlic and olive oil with bread to soak up the juices.
It would take more space than we have to describe
the variety of fish and seafood available in Spanish restaurants. The city of
Malaga in particular is famous for its delicious fried fish. Choose the
`fritura malagueña'
for a variety of fried fresh fish. Most frequently encountered is hake
(“merluza”) served fried or grilled or cooked with clams, garlic and parsley.
Depending on what has been caught that day you will also find sole, cod, sea
bass, bream and many others whose names you cannot translate! Two favourites
with children are small pieces of “Rosada “(a firm white fish) crisply fried in
a light batter and served with Ali- oli, a very garlicky mayonnaise and “Cazón
en Adobo” ( a kind of shark!) cut into small pieces and marinated before being
fried. You will not find buttery or creamy sauces often as generally the Spanish
believe that the flavour of truly fresh fish should not be obscured! Seafood
aficionados will find prawns of every size from tiny to gigantic, together with
langoustines, crayfish and lobster.
Most visitors arrive determined to sample the
many tapas available in the bars and restaurants. One notable thing about the
tapas in more Spanish areas is that they are included in the price of your
drink, something which has all but vanished in resorts with many foreign
visitors. Tapas can be either hot or cold. The choice of cold tapas will often
include a piece of delicious manchego cheese or Serrano ham, a tiny plate of
seafood salad or some “pipirrana”- a refreshing salad made with finely diced peppers and
tomatoes and of course a piece of the famous Spanish omelette.
But most memorable are the hot tapas. It could be a
tiny piece of fried fish served with some perfectly dressed salad leaves, or a
couple of grilled prawns or fried fresh anchovies. All kinds of little sausages
are served as tapas, notably the spicy “chorizo” and “morcilla” ( a kind of
black pudding). You might also try a miniature casserole of pork cooked in a
fresh tomato sauce or with Moorish spices and served in a tiny earthenware dish.
Small pieces of steak also feature as tapas, either served on their own or
inside tiny buns. One or two meatballs or chicken wings are also popular with
children. This is only a fraction of the tapas available as every bar has its
own unique specialities and at some, particularly in Antequera, you can choose
from more than 20 different tapas!
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