Copyright (c) 2010 Nick Clipton

Spain's culture and beauty are not the only famous things that make it a popular tourist destination. The food of Spain is also a thing that has to be experienced firsthand and it is just best that when talking about travelling tips to Spain that food should never be missed out on.

Churros con Chocolate

This is a popular breakfast food usually accompanied by a cup of thick Spanish hot chocolate or café con leche. This highly popular combination is a favourite amongst Spaniards coming home from a late night out of enjoyment. The churros are basically dough that have been squeezed into long serrated tubes and fried in butter.

Paella

This is rice flavoured with saffron and seafood, vegetables, rabbit, chicken or duck meat, beans and seasoning. These are cooked in a paellera where the rice is allowed to cook and fluff up with the rest of the ingredients placed attractively on top. Usually cooked over an open fire, this national dish of Spain can also be simply cooked in an oven or a rice cooker.

Leche Flan

This is one recipe of Spain that has made its rounds all around the world. Made from milk mixed with a little bit of sugar and spiced with caramel flavoured with lemon rind, when cooled it is the next best thing to an airy treat from heaven.

Tortilla de Patata

Another Spanish tradition for home cooked meals. It is actually just beaten eggs with a touch of salt and pepper. But it is mixed with potato and allowed to cook until the potatoes are done. It is then flipped over onto a plate where the rounded cooking part is revealed. This can be served at any time of the day and is a hearty and filing food.

Spanish Red Beans with Chorizo

This is a favourite hearty dish that is sure to fill up the empty caverns of the most avid eater. The red beans are soaked from a few hours to overnight when it is then carefully made to simmer for several hours in a closed pot until tender. Then depending on what ingredients are at hand, chorizo, potatoes, carrots, pork bits and the usual spices are included and allowed to cook for several more hours until everything is tender. The blending of the flavors is best eaten with bits of bread.

Tapas

These are food that have been laid out on the bar open to the clients who walk in. they can be anything from olive, nuts, dried fruits to hamburgers and fries. This is great fare especially in Granada.