La Rioja

Because it neighbours the more famous Basque country, lovers of Spanish food often overlook the cuisine on offer in the sprawling countryside of La Rioja. Famous for its red wine, it is amazing that so few people talk about the great food served here. The tapas are wonderful. The vegetables are fresh and full of flavour. And the meat dishes, so often cooked in locally produced red wine, are memorable. 

Fruit and vegetables are abundant here. The local markets, as at the one in Haro pictured here, offer up quality ingredients. Not just fruit and veg but also snails and mushrooms. In the hills sheep and game provide good quality local meat. Red bell peppers, goat's milk cottage cheese and chili sausage are also on offer. 

Then there are the wonderful locally grown potatoes. They are often served to you, Riojan style, in a stew with green and red bell peppers, onions and garlic. Quail is served with baby fava beans (Pochas con Codornices). A lamb stew is brimming over with ingredients such as artichoke hearts, chili, potatoes and peppers.

And to finish? It has to be Sorbete de la Rioja (La Rioja wine sorbet). Ideal when sitting outside in the summer sunshine. La Rioja is rightly famed for full bodied, quality red wine. But the area is no 'one trick pony.' Don't just drink there. Eat there!

Logroño, La Rioja

Submitted by Vernon on 7 February 2012 - 11:06am

I am a big fan of La Rioja in Spain. I think it is an area that is too often bypassed by visitors to Spain. Too often i see people simply load up their vehicles with good local wine and then leave the place. They don't try the food. They should.

And don't simply take my word for it.

Logroño in La Rioja has just been awarded the title 'Spanish Capital of Gastronomy 2012.'
A new award initiated by the Spanish Hospitality Federation and the Spanish Federation of Travel Journalists and Writers.

Rick Stein in Spain - Part 2

Bay of Roses

On his travels through Spain, Rick Stein met some fascinating people.

Those who, in their own way, have done wonders to promote the food and drink of Spain.

He also attended many festivals celebrating different Spanish foods.

His mission was to get a taste for modern day Spanish cooking. How had things changed since he first went to Spain aged 8?

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Veggies in Spain

Vegetables in Spain
Vegetarian eating in Spain

If you are a vegetarian living in, or visiting Spain, your ability to enjoy fresh vegetables will vary considerably depending on where you are.

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Refried Kidney Beans

Frying Tonight

People don't tend to think of eating kidney beans in Spain. More common is to find fried broad beans. But here is a recipe using kidney beans, which taste nicer and nicer each time you refry them.

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Spicy Sausage in Red Wine

Chorizo
Boozy Sausage

It is time to head north in Spain. To the splendid towns, cities and villages of La Rioja. Many a meal you eat here will be cooked in the local wine that is so cheap, plentiful and full of body. It would be crazy not to cook using wine when you are in this beautiful part of Spain. The following meal lives long in the memory. And if, the day after, you have forgetten eating it; then it is safe to say you used too much wine! 

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Fava Beans with Quail

Haro, La Rioja
Red, Red WIne

La Rioja is about much more than great wine. I love this part of Spain. Some great towns, splendid countryside, the best value red wine anywhere and tremendous tapas in the bars of locations such as Haro (as pictured above). If all you know about Rioja is the wine you pick up in your local supermarket, i urge you to take the time to tour this area and sample its delights. Including some great food. Here's a recipe for Pochas con Cordinices.

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Peaches in Red Wine with Cinnamon

Peaches in Red Wine
Peaches But No Cream

When it comes to an appreciation for peaches, I am at the front of the queue. Likewise cinnamon. Regardless of the time of the year, there is always a sumptous dish to be made using peaches. Be it the fresh or tinned variety. Here is one such very popular recipe serving four people.

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Haro, La Rioja - food & wine heaven

Haro, La Rioja
La Rioja

If Jerez is a great place to combine food and wine in the south of Spain, then Haro is one of my favourite culinary destinations in the north of the country. If you like to taste great Spanish food, accompanied by some of the best wine produced anywhere; then take the motorway turn off for Haro. A smashing town with more bodegas than is good for you. Especially if you like a glass of Rioja.

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