Many people enjoy Spanish food but only the luckiest know the best kept Spanish cooking secrets of our gastronomy. From Sazón’s expert hosts, you will learn the cooking tricks that we, Spaniards, are not fond of revealing! And you will be able to surprise your guests by cooking like a true expert in our cuisine. In this article, we will tell you ten Spanish cooking secrets to transform yourself from an apprentice chef into an authentic host of Spanish food.
1. The importance of olive oil quality
The quality of the oil can significantly affect the final flavour of your dishes. It is essential to cook with a good extra virgin olive oil from Spain. Don’t skimp on quality when it comes to this key ingredient!
2. Sofrito, the heart of many Spanish dishes
This blend of onions, garlic, tomatoes, and peppers is slow-cooked and sautéed in olive oil for a rich, aromatic base. Any homemade stew must begin with a good homemade stir-fry. And our diner host, Amparo, knows that very well. She will delight you with a delicious pork cheek in red wine garnished with roasted potatoes with fine herbs.
3. Patience in paella, the right consistency
Patience is the key. The rice should be tender but firm (“al dente” like pasta). As a good Valencian, Jose Luis masters the technique of controlling the liquid-rice ratio and the cooking time to get the perfect texture of rice for paella. Only an expert achieves one of the most difficult techniques to accomplish, a paella with a crispy crust at the bottom of the pan, known as “socarrat”. His knowledge of the different types of rice from his land will leave you speechless.
4. Alioli, the creamy garlic sauce
Garlic is a basic ingredient in Spanish cuisine. And mainly with it, one of the most typical sauces in Spain is made: the delicious alioli. This garlic and olive oil sauce is a versatile condiment that pairs well with vegetables, seafood, and roasted meats.
5. Fresh products
If you are preparing seafood or fish dishes, always opt for fresh, locally sourced products. Spanish cuisine is known for its fresh fish and seafood, and our beloved Aurora knows a lot about that. From her house in Cádiz, she will make you enjoy the taste and quality of the products recently purchased at the local fish market. You will notice the difference!
6. Wine in the kitchen
One of the Spanish cooking secrets is wine. A good wine accompanies the food on the table, but in Spain we don’t just use it for drinking. Both red wine and white wine are used in cooking to add depth to sauces and infuse rich flavours into dishes. Put a good wine to your cooking and give a unique flavour to your dishes that no one will know.
7. The perfect Spanish omelette
Anyone who tries the Spanish tortilla is interested in the recipe. But the ingredients are not everything. The crucial Spanish cooking secret is the art of flipping. Use a plate or lid to invert the omelette in the pan before cooking it on the other side. This ensures a rounded, perfectly cooked tortilla.
8. Saffron, the red gold
Saffron is one of the most valuable spices in the world, and La Mancha region is the largest producer of saffron in Spain. Known as red gold, this ingredient is essential in Spanish cuisine and provides flavour, colour and aroma to a wide variety of dishes such as meats, soups or vegetable dishes.
9. The art of simplicity
Spanish cuisine often relies on simple ingredients and techniques. As shown by the delicious dishes that our Malaga native Isa offers us, with products from her own garden. Dishes like Andalusian gazpacho show the beauty of using high-quality ingredients without unnecessary complexities.
10. Traditional baking techniques
If you have a sweet tooth, you will immediately recognise ingredients such as almonds, honey and citrus fruits that are frequently used to create delicious Spanish desserts. Cheli, our sweet pastry chef, invites us to give a sweet end to our journey of Spanish cooking secrets, trying her delicate and exquisite dessert. “Heaven’s Bacon”, that is egg custard with creamy yoghurt.
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Spanish cuisine is recognised for its rich flavours, vibrant ingredients and diverse regional traditions. And with these Spanish cooking secrets we are sure that you will enjoy preparing delicious dishes. But if you prefer not to cook and savour these delicacies with locals, visit our website to book your culinary experience today!
