Basque Country

If it’s memorable Spanish cuisine you want, then you have come to the right place. Sure, the signs in some bars and restaurants will remind you that you are neither in Spain nor France – you are in Basque country. But, frankly, I’d be happy to be told I was on the moon when served the sumptuous food on offer in this culinary corner of Spain.Some Basque chefs win awards. Some Basque restaurants are in guides to the best in the world. But the best thing about Basque food is that all of it is special. Whether you are eating the local version of tapas, Pintxos, in a bar in Bilbao, or sampling a tuna stew anywhere in Basque country; you will not be disappointed.Fish, in particular cod, is popular up here. For example, the dish called Bacalao fresco sees cod poached with mussels or seafood in wafer thin slices. Hake is another fish they cook differently in Basque country. With apsparagus and peas for example. The seafood cuisine here is varied. Snow crab is stuffed. Clams are served with mushrooms. Eels are served with garlic and chilli. Shrimp is a joy when cooked in a puff pastry alongside spinach. Then, of course, there is the famous Basque tuna stew, Marmitako. You certainly don’t have to like seafood to enjoy dining here, but it helps. 

Outside a Txoko in San Sebastian during Tamoradda0

Men Only Cooking

In Basque country gastronomy is a very social thing. For men only.

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Perfect Pintxos in Bilbao1

Perfect Pintxos in Bilbao

In Bilbao there will be several bar snacks, or Pintxos, that you will not have come across elsewhere. Try them. You are sure to find new favourites.

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Rick Stein on Tapas1

Rick Stein on Tapas

In his four part television series on Spanish food, Rick Stein travelled the length and breadth of the country experiencing what all those who live in the country have known for some considerable time. The quality of what is on offer when dining outside has improved in leaps and bounds in recent years. As part of his tour, Rick Stein [...]

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Prawns in Chocolate Sauce0

Prawns in Chocolate Sauce

The Spanish have a life long love affair with chocolate and it turns up in the most unexpected recipes. Like here with Prawns and Chocolate

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Savour San Sebastian0

Savour San Sebastian

San Sebastian will the be European Capital of Culture for 2016. It beat off challenges from four other splendid locations in Spain and can now prepare for what should be a boom year in the city that has such a rich culinary history. San Sebastian is located in Basque Country and is a very popular destination for those who like [...]

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Bacalao for Breakfast?1

Bacalao for Breakfast?

It was probably a childhood of eating Cod and Chips that led to my passion for this particular fish. Frankly, I’ve no idea if the cod I ate then had ever seen the sea, but the cod I eat in Spain most definitely has. I prefer the word cod to the Spanish equivalent of Bacalao. Not sure why, but the [...]

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Chickpea and Pepper Toasts0

Chickpea and Pepper Toasts

Here’s the recipe for a tapas you can prepare easily and serve to visiting friends. A not too filling snack before settling down for dinner.

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Seafood Toasts0

Seafood Toasts

One of the simplest & yet most popular tapa servings is the Montado. Little slices of toasted bread on which a variety of food may be served

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Veggies in Spain1

Veggies 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. Down my way in Andalucia the weekly markets are full of fresh veggies, but the restaurants do not serve them. The same copious vegetables I buy in great quantity are strangers to the kitchen of Spanish [...]

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Baked Basque Crab0

Baked Basque Crab

Baked crab is wonderful, never more so than with this recipe for such a traditional Basque dish.

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