This traditional garlic soup from Castile may very well be what sustained Don Quixote in his windmill attacks. It is a simple soup and a type of gazpacho, in the sense that bread is used as a thickener. Spanish smoked paprika, or pimentón de la Vera—which comes in sweet, bittersweet or hot varieties, depending on your preference—is produced in a neighboring region and provides the distinguishing flavor to the soup.
In Chinese medicine, which is fundamentally based on the balancing principles of yin and yang, heating foods are those that warm the body, feeding it with energy. Balance, which includes establishing equilibrium among the five flavors (sweet, sour, salty, bitter and umami), helps the body’s vital spirit, called qi, to flow freely and support excellent health. Need I say more? Hot, sour, salty, sweet and loaded with umami from the soy sauce and mushrooms, which are also known to strengthen the immune system, this soup has all the makings of a restorative tonic. And it tastes good, too!
My paella is not traditionally Spanish. It is more like a Portuguese dish in the sense that it combines seafood and meat. But I’ve been making it for years and it is a family favorite—one that, I might add, I often serve to guests. Served with crusty bread, a simple green salad and some good white wine, it makes a perfect Friday night dinner with friends.
If you have the ingredients on hand, this tasty dip can be ready to serve in about 5 minutes. Serve it with crudités, crackers or pumpernickel rounds for an elegant appetizer at room temperature for 20 minutes before serving.
The combination of soft, sweet mascarpone, slightly astringent Gorgonzola and bittersweet walnuts is quite glorious. Spread this on a plain cracker and enjoy with a glass of robust red wine.
This variation on tortilla, a traditional Spanish tapas dish resembling an omelet, adds green and red bell peppers, a chile pepper and a liberal amount of sharp cheese to the traditional potato and egg combination. Traditionally it is served cold or at room temperature.