Great Recipes and Great Food

Spain, a country with diverse culture. It is famous worldwide for its arts and its rich culture. You can find a large variation of culture in Spain depending upon the location, climate and many other factors.

Wherever you go in Spain, you will find something exciting and interesting. Same applies for Spanish cuisine. Spanish history and culture are reflected in the wide range of Spanish delicacies.

One can find a wide range of sea food in Spanish cuisine. It is mainly due to the position of country in the Iberian Peninsula which is surrounded by sea. Spanish cuisine is influenced by a number of varied culture like Jewish and Moors which rules Spain for hundreds of years.

Spanish people love soups. Soups like chilled tomato soup pr gazpacho, garlic soup or sopa de ajo and many others are part of their daily food. There are some basic ingredients which are used to prepare Spanish foods like tomatoes, potatoes, beans, chick peas, pepper etc. One of the staples of Spanish food is Spanish Jamon.

Jamon or Spanish ham is a dry cured food which is cured with sea salt. Having an exceptional color and aroma, it is one of the healthiest products in Spain. Production of ham in Spain is governed by Protected Designation of Origin.

Depending on climate, history and many other things, you will find that ever place in Spain has its own culture. Spanish people love their cured hams. A large variety of these hams are available in Spain. Every year almost 40 millions hams are processed all over Spain. The most popular types of ham which Spanish people are fond of are jamon iberico and jamon Serrano.

Jamon Serrano is a rich flavored ham which has is cured in the country air. The process fills it with deep aroma. Cured jamons are less fatty and more firm. Jamon Serrano is very popular is Spain and is a part of people’s daily life. Almost every bar, restaurants and café in Spain have their own specialty of hams.

During holidays and festive seasons you can find hundreds of ham hanging on all the major food stores. It is served in paper-thin slices with cheese and olives. You can also flavor it with your favorite Spanish recipes. Jamon iberica are more expensive as compared to jamon Serrano. It is made from the meat of pig called iberico pigs. These pigs are found only in Spain.

Jamon iberica are found in three different types and the classification is made on the basis of food pigs were served. The best is Jamon Iberico de Bellota made from Iberian pigs fed on acorns, next is Jamon Iberico de Recebo made from pig fed on compounds and acorns and the last is Jamon Iberico de Campo fed made from compound fed Iberian pigs with Pata Negra.

You can see pig fat melting in your plate when paper thin slices of these jamons are served in plates which are warmed up to 75 degrees. Jamon Iberica is not as popular as jamon Serrano and it represent only 5% of the total jamon production in Spain. Spanish jamons are created using traditional techniques and its secret lies with the country people.

Spanish hams are rolled with sea salt and then are strung up for as long as one year. It become calorie free and firm by experiencing the change of temperature with changing seasons.

You can use whole hams to serve large number of people in parties while slices are quick serve. However using Spanish hams in your home will add Spanish flavor to your food.

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