Fantastic Food

Good Sunday Afternoon everyone!

Since everything is virtually closed here in Barcelona today, we are staying in and getting some laundry and other fun things like that done. After just finishing my daily cafe con leche and reading various news articles and emails I remembered that I have neglected to write anything about the food here in Barcelona! I know....I can't believe I haven't done so! For those of you that know me, or are anything like me (and there are a few), you may know that I quite enjoy various cuisines, along with grocery shopping, cooking and lusting over Jaime Oliver on the Food Network. I bet you do too. 

So far we haven't really eaten out too much as we are saving our pennies to indulge in Paris in a few weeks time. (lifelong dream of yours truly.) Having said this, we have observed, read about, and grocery shopped in Barcelona therefore, I can actually tell you something. 

1. JAMON

Ahhhh... the Jamon!! The famous prosciutto like meat that is consumed here like the world is going to implode tomorrow. So here is how it works, you walk into pretty well anywhere serving or selling food and you can purchase jamon. Typically, there is a animal leg set up and people just select what leg looks best and off you go. Or for the very reasonable price of 75 euros, you can walk into your neighborhood Carrefour (basically a Wal Mart) and buy your very own hunk o'Jamon leg. We have chosen to purchase smaller packages of said meat (mostly because we don't know how to order from the deli counter) and enjoy it with our eggs at breakfast. Tis' very good and certainly a Spanish delicacy. Not only are half the grocery stores, delis and restaurants dedicated to jamon, but so is the junk food. If you can believe it, Lay's makes jamon flavored chips. I think if we consume too much while we're here, I'll never be able to look at prosciutto again...which would just be sad. Must pace self!

2. YOGURT 

In all my guidebook reading prior to arriving in Barcelona I have yet to read about the madness of yogurt here in Spain. I'm not sure if it's because the Spanish consume a lot of yogurt or if they just have better fruit here which results in a bigger yogurt selection. Nevertheless, I have come to the conclusion that yogurt in Canada is now boring. While in Carrefour yesterday we stumbled upon THE YOGURT AISLE. Meaning a full aisle, stocked with yogurt on both sides. Not just a little section like you would see in Safeway. They have a bajillion varieties of yogurt; different flavors, drinkable, spoon-able etc. It's like paradise. This morning I indulged in a 'cookie' yogurt that tasted like creme caramel. Delightful. Last week was coconut. Also sooo good! 

3. SALT COD AND SEAFOOD 

In one episode on the Food Network of From Spain with Love, salt cod was featured. Now, as far as I know the cod is imported (because they don't have it here) and preserved in a crazy amount of salt so that it makes it to it's destination. Again in the Carrefour seafood section I saw a bucket o'salt cod and had to stop and look because it was just thrown in there for you to pick out. Not even wrapped! Now, I don't know about you but this is boggling to me. We are hoping to go down to the beach tomorrow and I'm hoping to try some authentic seafood. It's bit expensive but how often does an Alberta resident have access to quality seafood? Nada.

4. NESPRESSO

Buying a Nespresso machine or going to buy some refill pods is like walking into a car dealership. Everything has spotlights on it, is shiny and smells nice. People rush to help you, you can 'test-drive' the different espressos (better to not go at night) and after much contemplation, you make a purchase. We have a Nespresso machine in our apartment and are now accustomed to having one, and sometimes two cafe con leches (lattes) per day. Amazingly, our Nespresso makes a better latte than do most cafes we've tried so far. The only downside is our lack of a milk steamer/frother. Alas, Nespresso, you make darn good espresso. I think I may splurge on a machine here and bring it home (if I can get one with a North America plug-in!)

5. TEA

Prior to coming to Spain, I was a little worried that I would not have access to tea. You see, for those of you that don't know me, I am a huge fan of tea and consume large quantities of it each day. Not to sound a little pretentious but we aren't talking Tetley Orange Pekoe here, we are talking David's Tea. Now, if you haven't experienced tea from David's, you should. There is one in SouthCentre mall at home. Here, there is no David's (other than the stash I shoved in my suitcase) BUT there are tea stores!!!! Hallelujah! I have already come across two gourmet tea stores and if you read Bryndan's blog lately, you would know that apparently I was 'giddy' upon arrival. I don't remember it, it was a bit of an excitement blur for me. So don't worry, I have my tea stash, I found a Bodum travel mug for 9 euros and I'll be OK.

More to come! 

B