Reference - Articles and Tips About Spain and Spanish Food
DON HARRIS: REFLECTIONS ON SPAIN
A La Parrilla, Grilling Across Spain
There are some who dream of a 20 course meal at a cutting edge restaurant like Arzak or El Celler de Can Roca, temples to Spain's gastronomic revolution. But for me, nothing can surpass a humble fish or leg of lamb prepared a la parrilla - on the grill in a simple restaurant. Don't get me wrong - the spectacular creations of Spain's cutting edge chefs should be celebrated. Most importantly, these inventive chefs bring attention to Spain's amazing cuisine and most of them revere the pure, fresh ingredients and deep roots of traditional Spanish cooking. And they often strive to showcase local produce and seafood. For me, their...
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 PRODUCT STORY
Free-Range Ibérico de Bellota Pork for the Grill or the Pan
We realized we hadn't tasted pork like this for a long, long time. Or maybe we had never had this experience before; perhaps it was a primordial memory from a time when pork meant something juicy, something complex and richly flavorful. The occasion was a cookout at a house in Vista Hermosa, near Jerez. Our friends at Jamones y Embutidos Fermín had sent us samples of free-range Ibérico de Bellota pork, cuts we had rarely heard of before: presa, pluma, secreto. They came off the grill hot and crispy, shining with the famous acorn flavored fat of Ibérico de Bellota. We had very high expectations, though we weren't exactly sure...
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 REGIONAL FOCUS
Extremadura
Extremadura is one of our very favorite regions of Spain -- it reminds us a little of the Wild West of Texas. The countryside is open and expansive: dry plains, mountains, marshes, meadows and fields. Tourists have not discovered the region so you can go for days just enjoying the landscape and the warm and hospitable people. The most important area is called the dehesa which is a remnant of the forest which formerly covered all of Europe. It is in this setting where the free range Ibérico pigs are enjoying the countryside eating herbs and acorns among the cork and oak trees. When we walked among them, we carefully sidestepped...
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