spanish food creations

as part of my deep and important study of spanish food, i do get to cook it sometimes instead of just eat it. a couple of weeks ago, our interest group on spanish gastronomy journeyed to the barrio of nervión and had a very prestigious and important spanish chef as a cooking teacher. coincidentally, she also happened to be the mother of the group leader, maria.

there we were, holed up in her tiny kitchen, all ready to get our hands dirty! but, as a true spanish senora would do, she immediately took full of her kitchen. "maria hates that i don't let the kids cook, i mean it is supposed to be a cooking class, but whatever i don't care what she says, it's my kitchen, and i will do as i please." we laughed and sat back to relax. our only labor the whole hour was peeling potatoes, but as soon as i finished she said, "ok now, chica, go wash your hands, because you won't be doing anything else!" while we watched, she produced a delicious tortilla espanola, an egg and cheese omelet, sometimes with onions, but never with cheese. i actually asked her, do you ever put cheese or sausage or anything else in your tortilla? no, why would i do that. my food is good, has always been good, and will always be good. i love the integrity with which spaniards eat, even if it makes them a little less adventurous. the other plate is picadillo, a salad of tomatoes, peppers, tomatoes, tuna, and a lot of olive oil, as always.

good thing i was taking good notes while she cooked, because i was able to produce a perfect tortilla espanola last saturday night for my host parents in honor of father's day.



first phase: peel and cut tomatoes. done. then i fried the potatoes in olive oil and mixed them in with the egg (below), from which i made an omelet and flipped it myself!


they insisted that i cut the tortilla. we had a wonderful time eating tortilla, drinking cruzcampo, and watching the real madrid vs. atlético madrid soccer game, making for a great saturday night with the family. i spend time in the kitchen nowadays observing what my host-mom does, so hopefully i will come home with some good recipes.