A TASTE OF SPAIN Sumptuous Spanish recipes

A taste of Spain

Follow these simple recipes to recreate the irrestible flavours of Spain

More so than any other European cuisine, Spanish gastronomy is inuenced by the culture, society, geography and climate of its dierent regions. In Andalucia, home to Seville and the amenco, Serrano ham and Iberico ham are both popular. Valencia is the place to try paella, while Barcelona is known for its Catalan cuisine.

ALBÓNDIGAS CON TOMATE SERVES 4

• INGREDIENTS: • 9 oz (255g) minced beef • 9 oz (255g) minced pork • 1 Spanish (red) onion • 2 cloves garlic, crushed • 3 tbsp breadcrumbs • 2 tbsp Cheddar cheese • 2 tsp smoked sweet paprika • 1 tbsp fresh oregano • 1 egg • Salt and pepper

FOR THE SAUCE: • 2 tbsp olive oil • 1 Spanish (red) onion • 2 cloves garlic, crushed • 1 red chilli, chopped • 1 tbsp fresh basil • 6 large tomatoes • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar • Salt and pepper • 2 tbsp fresh parsley

FOR THE GARLIC CROUTONS: • 1 small baguette • 2 oz (55g) butter • 2 cloves garlic, crushed • 1 tbsp fresh parsley

METHOD: 1. Preheat the oven to 175°C. To make the meatballs, combine the beef, pork, chopped onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, grated Cheddar cheese, paprika and oregano in a bowl together with the egg. Season generously. 2. With wet hands, shape the mixture into meatballs, weighing around 1¾ oz (50g) each. Refrigerate for half an hour. 3. Meanwhile, make the garlic croutons. Melt the butter in a saucepan and add the crushed garlic and chopped parsley. Cut the bread into cubes and toss the cubes in the butter mixture. Spread out on a baking tray and bake for 20 minutes or until crisp and golden. Keep warm until needed. 4. Next, heat the oil in a large frying pan and cook the meatballs in batches, turning frequently, until they have browned all over. Transfer to a baking tray and place in the oven for 10 minutes.

5. To make the sauce, add the onion to the pan and cook until just soft and translucent. Add the garlic, chilli and basil and cook for 30 seconds, then add the chopped tomatoes and balsamic vinegar. Bring to the boil and season well with salt and black pepper. 6. Remove the meatballs from the oven and add them to the tomato sauce. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Serve with the garlic croutons.

Above: Rich meatballs, served in a spicy tomato sauce, often feature on traditional Spanish tapas menus

INGREDIENTS: • 1 pinch saffron threads • 2 pints (950ml) fish stock • 2 tbsp olive oil • 7 oz (200g) monkfish, in pieces • 2 cloves garlic, crushed • 1 large red onion, chopped • 1 tsp paprika • 2 red peppers, chopped • 9 oz (250g) paella rice • 4 large fresh tomatoes, chopped and de-seeded • 5 oz (140g) frozen peas • 1 lb (450g) squid, cleaned and sliced • 9 oz (250g) mussels, scrubbed, beards removed • 1 tsp salt • 1 tsp pepper

TO GARNISH: • 4 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

METHOD: 1. Place the saffron threads into a large, wide, heavy-based pan over a medium heat and stir constantly until they just begin to give off their aroma. Add the stock and bring to the boil. Transfer to a saucepan, cover and set aside. 2. Return the pan to the heat and add 1 tbsp of oil. Add the monkfish and fry until lightly browned. Remove the fish and set aside. 3. Add another tablespoon of oil to the pan. Add the garlic, onion and paprika and cook over a moderate heat for two minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the red peppers and cook until all the vegetables are soft but not brown. 4. Add the rice and stir well, ensuring all the grains are well coated. Bring the saffron-infused stock to simmering point and add half of it to the rice. Stir, and then bring to the boil. Lower the heat and simmer for five minutes or until almost all the liquid is absorbed. 5. Add the remaining stock, then stir in the tomatoes, peas and reserved monkfish pieces. Add the squid and simmer for five minutes. Arrange the mussels around the dish, pushing them into the rice. Simmer for a further 15 minutes or until the rice is tender and all the liquid has been absorbed. Season with salt and pepper. Remove the pan from the heat, cover with foil and leave to stand for five minutes. Discard any mussels that have not opened. Garnish generously with parsley before serving.

CHURROS SERVES 4

INGREDIENTS: • 8 fl oz (235ml) milk • 2 oz (55g) butter • 4 tbsp sugar • Pinch salt • 9 oz (255g) plain flour • 3 eggs • Vegetable oil for deep frying

FOR THE CINNAMON SUGAR: • 2 ½ oz (70g) granulated sugar • 2 tsp ground cinnamon

FOR THE CHOCOLATE SAUCE: • 8 ½ fl oz (250ml) whipping cream • 9 oz (255g) dark chocolate, chopped • 2 tbsp hazelnut (praline) paste

METHOD: 1. Place the milk, butter, sugar and salt in a saucepan and bring to a simmer. 2. Add the flour to the pan and mix well to combine, cooking gently and stirring until the mixture forms a soft dough. Take the pan off the heat and beat in the eggs. 3. Heat the oil in a deep fat fryer to 190°C. (Alternatively, you can use a deep saucepan.) Test the temperature with a small amount of dough. 4. Spoon the mixture into a piping bag with a star-shaped nozzle and pipe the mixture carefully into the hot oil, snipping each churro off with a pair of scissors. Fry until golden brown, then drain on paper towels. Toss the churros in the cinnamon sugar while still hot. 5. For the chocolate sauce, heat the cream in a small saucepan and then pour over the chopped chocolate, stirring continuously until the sauce is smooth. Stir in the hazelnut paste and serve with the churros.

Malaga

The birthplace of Pablo Picasso, Malaga has reinvented itself over the years, blending a bustling modern city with a rich ancient history, sunny beaches and fine art scene

One of Spain’s most southerly cities, Malaga sits at the base of the Montes de Malaga, and, with a smart harbour, is the gateway to the Costa del Sol.

Dating back to around 770BC, the city is awash with historical intrigue. A Roman amphitheatre and the Moorish citadels Gilfarbaro and Alcazaba are all worth a visit, and oer panoramic views across the city to the mountains. Malaga is easy to navigate via bus and metro, although most of the key tourist sites are within walking distance. To make the most of the city’s seafront location, you could rent a bike and cycle to the Playa Pedregalejo for a stroll along the beach. Dive into one of the fabulous sh restaurants after stopping o at the iconic Pompidou gallery; home to Spain’s esteemed modern artists.

Undoubtedly popular with tourists, the elegant Museo Picasso charts the career of the city’s most famous son. For a more relaxed

view of modern art, visit the Contemporary Art Museum or wander the pretty paved streets of the Soho district to view some striking street art, with a stop at a characterful local café. For a break away from the busy streets, try the impressive botanical gardens La Concepcion, or close to the port, the Paseo del Parque. Don’t miss • Malaga Cathedral (which the locals fondly call the one-armed lady) never gained its nal tower, giving it a slightly o-balance appearance. e 200 steps to the restored rooftops oer wonderful views of the city. • Relax in the pretty Turkish baths of the Hammam Al Andalus, with thermal pools surrounded by lanterns. Visit the steam room or enjoy a massage followed by a soothing mint tea. • ere are several bustling markets in Malaga, but the most colourful is the Mercado Central de Atarazanas with a stunning stained-glass entrance and a 14th-century Moorish arch. • e Pier 1 Port of Malaga neighbourhood is vibrant for nightlife where visitors can stroll the promenade, gaze out to sea or enjoy views over the Alcazabar and Castillo de Gibralfaro. • Malaga oers some unusual museums including the Aeronautical Museum, the Museo Automovilistico, housing almost 100 restored classic cars, the

Fast Facts

The striking central bullring Plaza de Toros de La Malagueta was built in 1874 and seats around 14,000 spectators.

Malaga is home to an annual film festival, wholly dedicated to promoting Spanish cinema and up-and-coming producers.

Dating back around 2,800 years and founded by the Phoenicians, Malaga is one of the oldest European cities.

64 VIKINGCRUISES.CO.UK | SPRING 2020 Museo del Vidrio y Cristal de Malaga, charting the history of glass and ceramics, and the Museo Interactivo de la Musica where visitors can play the instruments. Eating & Drinking Traditional dining is tapas – small hot and cold dishes for sharing. Favourites include succulent lamb, cured hams, tuna, prawns, local cheese and juicy padron peppers.

MARISQUERIA JACINTO ££££ is crisp if slightly staid restaurant oers the region’s best sh direct from local markets. Beautiful plates of prawns and langoustines, oysters, clams in garlic and white wine, monksh and red mullet make for a mouth-watering meal.

VEGETARIAN EL CALAFATE ££ Tucked away in a charming backstreet, the menu at this quaint and cosy restaurant includes falafel,

Clockwise from top: A palm tree-lined promenade in the seaside town of Nerja, Malaga; a window display of Empanadas; a flamenco dancer in traditional dress; churros being sprinkled with icing sugar; the spectacular entrance of the Mercado Central de Atarazanas

samosas and a roasted vegetable salads. Don’t miss the lemon tart.

MESON IBERICO £££ Highly recommended for tapas, booking is advised in this local jaunt. Soak up the atmosphere over dishes of calamari, and pork plus mini bocadillos (crispy sandwiches).

EL DESCORCHE SORBOS & MORDISCOS £££ is quirky restaurant resembles a classroom, but the tapas is delicious and a little dierent from the norm. Try the cigarrales, patatas mar y montaña (sea and mountain potatoes) and crispy croquetas.

RESTAURANTE MONTANA ££££ Beautifully presented ne dining in a 19th-century Mediterranean palace. Tasty seabass, goat and juicy suckling pig dishes are the recommended choices, or try the tasting menu.

Insider Tips

SWEET TREATS You can’t visit Malaga and not try churros, the delicious deep-fried long doughnuts dipped in warm chocolate sauce and sprinkled with icing sugar. Look out for fresh ones in local cafés.

DANCING SHOES Catching a traditional flamenco performance makes for a fantastic night out on the town and the often improvised show at Kelipe Centro de Arte Flamenco is a wonderful experience.

GREAT ON THE GO Empanadas are a traditional flaky pastry with sweet or savoury fillings. Watch them being made at high speed and eat them fresh from the oven at Empanadas Viste.

Clockwise from top: Gaudi's Sagrada Familia looming over the city; Barceloneta Beach at sunrise; an aerial view of La Rambla; Spanish street food; beautiful wrought iron balconies overlooking the city streets

Proud city of the Catalans, Barcelona offers everything from Mediterranean beaches to Michelin-star dining and that renowned eclectic architecture Barcelona

Spain’s second largest city, Barcelona, could seem daunting to visitors, but besides being largely built in a highly navigable grid pattern, it has a whole heap of public transport options, including trams, funicular railways and cable cars, making it enjoyable to get around.

Catalans are so proud of their distinct language, culture and heritage, that it’s hard to miss. Start with a stroll around Europe’s best-preserved Gothic Quarter (Barri Gotic) and visit the Museu d’Història de Catalunya where a rooftop bar oers views of the harbour. Wander the medieval lanes and stop at the gothic Barcelona Cathedral to see the stunning vaulted ceiling and cloister with its 13 ornate geese. Spend some time in the attraction-packed Montjuïc to nd the Palau Nacional, home to the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, as well as the Magic Fountain which some nights oers spellbinding light shows. Ride the

funicular to the top of the hill for panoramic city views.

A short metro ride takes you to the La Sagrada Familia – Antoni Gaudi’s most famous work – a church for the people. Buy a ticket online to bypass the queues. e carved, colourful interior resembles a fairy tale structure. Take a quick detour north to see the stunning Art Nouveau Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau before making the short walk down tree-lined streets to the Passeig de Gracia. Here you’ll nd the iconic Gaudi house Casa Batlló and also Casa Mila with its fascinating rooftop walk, as well as other Modernista architecture. Don’t miss Take a tour of the amboyant Palau de la Música Catalana. Its spectacular interiors helped it become a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

e rst home designed by Gaudi – Casa Vincens – opened to the public in 2017. One of the earliest examples of Art Nouveau, it blends beautiful tiled exteriors with Arabian and Oriental inuences inside.

Ride the lift to the top of the Mirador de Colom to the viewing gallery (60m up) for 360-degree views of the Gothic Quarter, Parc de Montjuïc and the harbour.

e reasonably priced Museu d’Historia de Barcelona details the ancient and medieval history of Barcelona, particularly Roman artefacts and architectural remains.

Fast Facts

More than 30 million tourists visit Barcelona annually, prompting officials to pass laws curbing the numbers.

Founded as a Roman city, Barcelona is a leading international economic, cultural and trade hub.

Barcelona fields one of the world’s most renowned football teams at Camp Nou, the largest football stadium in Europe, seating 100,000 fans.

Trading since 1836, the huge and famous Mercat de la Boqueria is an assault on the senses and a great place to sample a range of international edible treats. Eating & Drinking Although tapas is commonplace, Catalan cuisine has its own distinct style and cosmopolitan Barcelona oers some of Europe’s nest dining.

LAB RESTAURANT ££££ is restaurant, as its name implies, likes to experiment with food and produces a tasting menu with a twist. Exquisite looking dishes made from local ingredients are served with a ourish.

AGUT ££ Popular with locals in the Barri Gotic, this restaurant serves traditional Catalonian dishes overlooked by paintings from

classical, local artists. Try the bouillabaisse (sh stew) and pig trotters stued with pork sausages.

CAN ROS £££ A long-established rustic restaurant specialising in seafood and rice dishes. Try the black rice with cuttlesh and artichokes and the traditional cod sh.

TAPAS 24 £££ Arrive early or prepare to wait as there’s no booking at this popular tapas restaurant, oering a gastronomic twist on traditional favourites. Highly recommended are the toasted ham, cheese and true sandwiches and the boquerones al limón (lemonmarinated anchovies).

RESTAURANTE LASARTE ££££ Book ahead as diners ock to this place, the rst local restaurant to achieve three Michelin stars.

Insider Tips

STREET-SIDE BITES The hip Gracia neighbourhood is distinct from other parts of the city. By day, sample varied street food and tasty tapas. At night, find cool and classy bars playing live jazz.

EVENING AMBLE Las Ramblas is the most popular street in the city, with shops, restaurants and cafes. You'll find locals and residents alike out enjoying the treelined strip way into the golden evenings.

TO THE BEACH Although most visitors are lured to Barcelona for its plethora of attractions, the beach, Playa de La Barceloneta, is a great spot that comes to life in the evenings with buzzing beach bars.