With my first two Spanish cookbooks… I felt like I was bringing Spain to the really introducing the foods of Spain. Now… my goal is the reverse to bring the people of my adoptive home back to Spain.
Inside José Andrés’ latest book Spain My Way. Photos of dishes yes. Also the people behind them. Shrimp fishermen. Friends eating tapas on rooftops overlooking snowy mountains. All the recipes look delicious. I couldn’t wait so I started with the classic patatas bravas. Classic Spanish tapas. Simple but tricky to get right.
Andrés got the book done. We chatted. His inspiration? Bringing Americans back to his homeland for a deep tour. He wants you to see his childhood friends. The local farmers. Winemakers. He talks about it as an invitation not a lesson.
It’s been years since his last Spanish cookbook. Tapas. Made in Spain. Those books were about introducing Spanish food to Americans. This time he flips it. He brings you with him. To Asturias. To Andalusia.
Famous for gazpacho. Actually his wife’s recipe. People beg him for it. Paella comes next for guests. He loves cooking it when company is over. But does anyone else agree that’s what he’s known for?
The regions matter. In Spain. Catalan dishes don’t appear in the north. A dish might be overlooked in one spot while it is a staple everywhere else. In America nobody knows about arroz a la cubana. It’s everywhere in Spain. Found only in homes. Garlic rice. Fried eggs. Tomato sauce. Sometimes sausage. His mother made it every week.
What about cacio e pepe? Not Spanish at all but he mentions it anyway. His daughter’s recipe uses the microwave. Five minutes. Pasta butter cheese pepper peas or corn. Fast. Efficient. You make it with pasta water butter cheese in a microwave dish. You’ll be happy. I guarantee it.
Preserved foods are key. Jars of beans vegetables. Spanish tradition is simple really. Take the best of the season jar it up eat later. Makes dinner faster when life gets busy.
He owns a history piece. First edition of The Joy of Cooking. Sold door to door by Irma Rombauer. Holding it feels different than holding a modern hardback. Real weight there.
Hosting a party? Make all the classics from the tapas section. Do everything in that part of Spain My Way. Celebrate Spain loud and clear.
Maybe you won’t know which dish to pick first.
