Galician food
Octopus is a very popular dish in Galicia. It is cooked whole and then cut into pieces. It is seasoned with oil, paprika and salt Ingredients: 1kg octopus 4 large potatoes Spanish extra virgin olive oil Sweet Spanish paprika
Preparation: Place it in large pot of boiling water and cook until soft enough to eat. This usually takes about 1 hour. Remove from water and allow to cool. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Cut into bit-size chunks.
“Caldo Gallego” “Caldo” is a hearty and delicious soup that has some beans, greens, and pork as the base ingredients. There isn't one main recipe because, in Galicia, it is traditionally made with vegetables that are in season. Ingredients: 1/2 kg white beans (soaked overnight and drained) 1/2 kg ham 1 bunch greens (turnip, collard, or kale) 1 kg potatoes 100 gr fresh bacon Salt Preparation: Peel and dice potatoes. Remove leaves of greens; discard stalks. Put beans, ham, and water in a large pot and bring to a boil. Reduce to low heat and continue cooking 20 minutes. Add potatoes, greens, and bacon. Add salt to taste. Let simmer for 40 minutes, or until the beans are very tender
“Empanada gallega” There are as many varieties as there are seafood and meat, the traditional fillings. It is a simple flat pie which can be stuffed with, tuna, meat, cockles, or just about anything that can be mixed with delicious ‘sofrito’ , a base of lightly fried onions, green peppers and tomato, which ensures that the pie is never dry.
“Tarta de Santiago” "St. James Cake," is an almond cake named in the honor of the apostle. Ingredients: 2 2/3 cups ground almonds 3/4 cup flour 1 1/4 cup sugar 4 eggs 8 tbsp butter (at room temperature) 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/2 cup water Zest of 1 lemon Powdered sugar Preparation: Blanch almonds, then grind them until fine in a grinder or a food processor. Set aside. Heat oven to 350 F degrees. Grease a spring-form pan. In a mixing bowl, beat eggs and sugar together. Add butter, flour, baking powder, and water and continue beating. (If you have an electric hand mixer, so much the better.) Add almonds and lemon zest into batter and stir until thoroughly mixed. Pour butter into cake pan. Bake on the middle shelf for about 45-50 minutes. (Cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.) Allow to cool. Decorate with powdered sugar. Sprinkle it around a cutout of a St James’ cross.
These are typical Galician dishes, but we have delicious seafood and meat, too . Come and enjoy them!