|
Catalan Cuisine of Catalonia is broadly influenced by the Spanish, Arabic and Jewish culture. The basic meal comprises of the starters followed by the first course and then the main course food. The meal ends up with some unique dessert delicacies. The essence of Catalan recipes lies in the basic five sauces –Sofregit, Samfaina, Picada, Alioli, and Romesco cooked in variations with meat, fish and vegetables. Catalan cooking is often referred to as ‘Gothic‘which includes some dark dishes. It comprises some really healthy food reflecting a Mediterranean diet.
Classification of the Catalan Cuisine
The Catalan Cuisine has diversified delicacies with fish- based dishes along the coast to the unique pork-based fancies of the mainland. Galtes and Peus de parc amb mongetes are some renowned pork based delicacies whereas Samfaina amb bacala and Rapambal cremate are the recipes made of fish.
Globally Popular Catalan Foods
Catalan Cuisine has acquired its special importance among the world famous Spanish dishes. The most globally popular dish being Escudella, a stew prepared with chicken, some vegetables and noodles. Pollastre amn alioli, made with chicken and garlic is another universally famous Catalan recipe.
The Allioli, a Catalan sauce is renowned world-wide for is unique flavor.
Special/ Festival Catalan Cuisine Food
The suffix ‘ada’, which means event, is added to some Catalan recipes. Some of the special Catalan dishes are:-
• Romescada- made with the monkfish and the unforgettable romoesco sauce.
• Mariscada- an expensive dish made with variety of sea foods.
• Sarsuela- an awesome dish of varied combination of fish, shrimp, prawn combined with olive oil, tomato and white vine.
Gourmet Catalan Food
Catalan Cuisine includes amazing range of gourmet food. The uniqueness of this category food is the meat cooked with fruits. The most popular are:-
Crema Catalana – the most popular dessert made of egg, milk and sugar. It is used a stuffing for various cakes and pastries.
Calcots- a Catalan recipe of baby onions cooked over flame and brushed with romesca.
Major Everyday Catalan Recipes
Catalan Cuisine comprises of varied dishes made with pork, fish, poultry and shrimp.
Bruschetta, a special form of tomato and bread and Pa amb tomaquet, bread slices rubbed with tomato, olive oil, garlic & salt are the favorite breakfast Catalan recipes.
Fideua is another common recipe of the region prepared with combination of shell fish, poultry, meat and vegetable.
Catalan Food Habits and Etiquette
A Continental style of eating with the usual fork and knife is primarily associated with this culinary. Keeping the fork and knife crossed is the general habit revealing the end of the meal. In formal gathering, the supper starts when the host says “Bon appétit”. It is remarkable to note that leaving the wine glasses almost full shows that no refilling is to be done.
Popular Chefs of Catalan Cuisine
Ferran Andria is the most respectable and renowned chef of Spanish Catalan Cuisine who began his career in 1980. He is famous for his thirty course gourmet menu and his book ‘A Day At El Bulli’ contains some really popular as well as complicated Catalan recipes.
Another name associated with this cuisine is Richard Danny.
Health Benefits of Catalan Food
The Catalan Cuisine is a reflection of several healthy Mediterranean foods. The fact of cod and pork being the prime ingredient of many recipes is a rich Cardio and Cancer protective supplement.
|