Delicious Spanish Dishes You Can Make at Home

Posted: September 11, 2021 1:12 pm

If you’re looking to add more tasty dishes to your menu, there are several easy Spanish recipes you can make at home. It can sometimes be hard trying to achieve the authentic taste of a cuisine that you don’t normally make. However, practice and some guidance really does make perfect.

The following recipes are all flavorful, traditional dishes that can be prepared with ease. Whether wanting tappas or choriza, you can learn to make full Spanish meals that you and your family will absolutely love by trying out some of these meals. The following recipes are popular Spanish dishes you can incorporate for lunch, dinner, or dessert.

1. Sopa de Lentejas

Sopa de Lentejas is also known as lentil soup. Prepared in many Spanish homes, this delicious lentil soup is commonly eaten for lunch as it is a bit on the heavy side for dinner. Containing pork loins, potatoes, and Spanish chorizo sausage, this soup is very appetizing and filling!

Recipe:

  • 1 lb. dry lentils
  • 5 medium potatoes
  • 2 carrots
  • 2 celery ribs
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 4 boneless pork loin chops
  • 2 links Spanish chorizo sausage
  • 2 tbsp. Spanish virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 tsp. ground cumin
  • water, as needed
  • kosher salt, to taste
  • freshly ground pepper, to taste

2. Salmorejo

Salmorejo, also known as tomato soup is very popular among homes in various regions. However, Salmorejo is a tomato soup usually served cold instead of hot. Another interesting thing about this soup is that the bread is blended into the soup instead of used as a complimentary side dish for the soup. This is what makes the Salmorejo so thick and yummy.

Recipe:

  • 9 Roma tomatoes, medium size, peeled and seeded
  • 2 cloves Garlic
  • 2 cups Bread
  • 2 tsp. Sherry vinegar
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 hard-boiled egg, chopped
  • 4 slices Spanish ham, Iberico or Serrano

3. Patatas Bravas

If you enjoy spicy Spanish food, then this Patatas Bravas dish is just for you! This super simple, yet tasty recipe comes with a spicy sauce to accompany the crispy fried Yukon gold potato cubes.

Recipe:

  • 2 1/2 lbs. Yukon gold potatoes, cut into a 3/4 inch dice
  • 1/2 tsp. baking soda
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • salt
  • pepper
  • chopped parsley, for garnish
  • Salsa Brava:
  • 2 tbsp. olive oil
  • 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 sweet or yellow onion, diced
  • 2 tsp. Spanish smoked paprika
  • 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
  • 2 to 3 dashes of hot sauce
  • salt
  • Garlic Aioli:
  • 1/4 cup good quality mayonnaise
  • 1 garlic clove, grated or pressed
  • 1 tsp. lemon juice

4. Spanish Rice

For a another simple but classic Spanish dish, Spanish rice is a good go to for a quick lunch or dinner option. Spanish rice offers a flavorful twist to ordinary white rice, infusing it with a variety of spices. This tasty rice can be eaten alone or plated with salmon, chicken, or any meat of your choice.

Recipe:

  • 180 g. rice
  • 250 ml. vegetable stock
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, diced
  • 2 tbsp. tomato paste
  • 1 tsp. smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp. chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
  • 1 tsp. dried oregano
  • 125 ml. passata
  • 1 pinch sea salt and black pepper
  • 1/2 lemon, juice only
  • 10 g. fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/2 tbsp. olive oil

5. Churros

Churros are a very popular Spanish treat. This deliciously sweet dessert is often sold at festivals and fairs. However, they make an amazing choice for dessert. Topped with sugar and cinnamon, the rich chocolate sauce will make your mouth water even more!

Recipe:

  • 1 cup flour, plain/ all purpose
  • 1 tsp. baking powder
  • pinch of salt
  • 1 tbsp. vegetable, canola or olive oil
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • 2 cups+ vegetable or canola oil, for frying
  • Cinnamon Sugar Coating:
  • 1/4 cup caster/superfine sugar
  • 2 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • Chocolate Sauce:
  • 1/2 cup dark chocolate or semi sweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup thickened/heavy cream

6. Caldereta

Caldereta is a Spanish seafood stew. Sometimes, this dish is cooked using squid. But, for this recipe, you will need prawns, fish fillets, and scallions. This recipe is packed with variety and flavor. Feel free to enjoy this soup with a few slices of crusty bread or paprika aioli.

Recipe:

  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 1 red capsicum, seeded and chopped
  • 5 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 400 g. can chopped tomatoes
  • 2 cups white wine
  • 1/2 cup good-quality aioli
  • 1/2 tsp. sweet paprika
  • 1/2 cup brandy
  • 600 g. skinless firm white fish fillets, cut into 4 cm. chunks
  • 16 green prawns, peeled and deveined
  • 12 scallops, roe removed
  • 1/2 cup flat-leaf parsley leaves, finely chopped
  • crusty bread, to serve

7. Spanish Sweet Potato Pockets

The Spanish Sweet Potato Pockets are another tasty potato-based dish you’ll love. However, this dish requires a little bit more of your time to add all your colorful toppings.

Recipe:

  • 4 x 350 g. sweet potatoes
  • 1 red capsicum, halved length-ways and seeded
  • 2 dried chorizo, split length-ways
  • 4 garlic cloves, unpeeled
  • 2/3 cup sour cream
  • juice of 1/2 lemon
  • 1 red onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 bunch flat-lead parsley, leaves chopped
  • 1 tsp. smoked paprika

8. Torrijas

If you love French toast, you’ll love Torrijas! Torrijas are the Spanish rendition of French toast. Make your mornings so much better by adding these scrumptious Torrijas to your breakfast menu. This sweet dish will make you excited to rise out of bed each morning!

Recipe:

  • 1 loaf stale French bread, sliced into 1.5 inch thick slices
  • 1 1/2 cups warm milk
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 3 large eggs
  • oil for frying, canola or vegetable
  • 2 tbsp. granulated sugar
  • 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

9. Leche Frita

Another classic Spanish dessert is the Leche Frita, a sweet milk and sugar based dessert, incredibly simple to make. Leche Frita is traditionally served and enjoyed with a cold scoop of yummy vanilla ice cream, making this dessert a wonderful treat for a hot summer or spring day.

Recipe:

  • 4 cups of whole milk
  • 3 1/2 tbsp. of cornstarch
  • 7 tbsp. flour
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • lemon peel
  • 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup of olive oil
  • 2 eggs
  • sugar and powdered cinnamon, to garnish

10. Spanish Paella

Spanish Paella is a classic dish with rice being one of the main ingredients. To make a traditional Spanish Paella, it’s best to use Spanish rice instead of regular white rice as white rice can’t absorb as much water without feeling too soft and mushy.

Recipe:

  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 bell pepper, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 3 roma tomatoes, finely diced
  • bay leaf
  • 1 tsp. paprika, sweet or smoked
  • 1 pinch saffron threads
  • salt and pepper
  • 1/4 cup white wine
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into pieces
  • 1/4 cup flat leaf Parsley, chopped
  • 2 cups Spanish rice
  • 5 cups chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas
  • 1/2 lb. Jumbo Shrimp or prawns, about 12, peeled
  • 1/2 lb. Mussels, 10-12, beards off
  • 8 oz. calamari rings
  • lemons, for garnish

11. Vegetable Tortilla Espanola

Experience a taste of Spain with this Vegetable Tortilla Espanola recipe. This meal is a great breakfast and lunch item, being that it is a deliciously filling omelette, mixed with a variety of bright and colorful veggies.

Recipe:

  • 7 eggs, beaten
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 4 tbsp. Spanish extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
  • 1/2 cup Monterey Jack cheese, grated
  • red pepper strips
  • 2 cups baby spinach
  • 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
  • 3 inch spears asparagus, chopped
  • 3 inch strips bacon, cooked and chopped
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