Spain - Espagne - Hispanol.........

'Tapas' bar

 When I first went to Spain, these places, 'Tapas bars' were exceptional - you bought a glass of something to drink, and the 'nibbles' (tapas) were free. Small, light meals were available as well, low priced, good, fresh and with tapas available you only needed to order and pay the drinks and the main course!
A place for a Scotsman!

paella

Saffron is a national seasoning, being needed, in quantity, for the famous 'Paella' of which there are at least a dozen varieties, my favourites being the 'fishy' varieties http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paella
Although Spain is only 70 miles away, we don't go as often as we maybe should!
After all, prices there are much lower, stuff like cigarettes, wine and spirits and much more are way down on those in France, but you're not supposed to smoke and drink anyhow!
Spain is an important European food and drink place, with many extra specialities. 
It supplies the rest of Europe out of season, with tomatoes, grapes, avocados, lettuce and many other things. Spanish strawberries and asparagus are on the market well i advance of the Italian or French, and are cheaper. Oranges all year round, lemons too....the list goes on and on. Try this - full of other bloggers and what they think......http://www.lolaespana.com/blog/food-blogger-reviews
Lots of stuff you can order here too (UK only) .... http://www.lolaespana.com/ - but they can be found all over the world, just go and ask!
Spain produces wines and spirits as well, of course, from still red, white, rose through to sparkling ones and fortified ones.....(Jerez - known in English as 'sherry' because the English couldn't pronounce the word correctly....!) and many others, all from 16vol alcohol to 18+ vol.....good for drinking, but good for cooking too. They tend to be sweetish, but VERY full bodied- delicious!
Spanish cheeses are well known, world wide........   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Spanish_cheeses and as we have already said Spanis fruit and vegetables are special both from availability and quality...... and...don't forget the olives......!
Spain, like Italy and France are full of good things.....just got to go and get them.....

Bonne Appétit!

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