Join me on a culinary journey through Europe
💡Quick facts about Spain:
- 🇪🇸Hola, España! Spain is located in southwestern Europe and is known for its diverse landscapes, ranging from beautiful beaches to towering mountains and lush green plains. It is the second largest country in Europe, next to France. The capital of Spain is Madrid. Obviously they speak Spanish in Spain, but it is a different type of Spanish, then in Mexico, similar but it sounds a bit different.
- 🥮Tapas Galore! One of Spain's famous culinary traditions is tapas. These are small, savory dishes that are perfect for sharing. They come in many delicious varieties, like patatas bravas (spicy potatoes), tortilla española (Spanish omelet), and croquetas (breaded and fried creamy bites), as well as the empanadas that we are making today.
- 🥘Paella Party! Spain is the birthplace of paella, a scrumptious rice dish loaded with saffron, vegetables, and various proteins like chicken, seafood, or rabbit. It's a colorful and flavorful delight that will transport your taste buds straight to Spain!
- 🍅The world's biggest food fight! Every year, in the town of Buñol, people gather to take part in the world's largest food fight: La Tomatina! During this crazy event, participants throw tomatoes at each other for pure fun. Don't forget to wear your tomato-proof goggles! 🤓
- 🐂 Running of the Bulls! In July is a big festival called “Running of the Bulls” it is held in Pamplona, Spain. It is a traditional event where bulls are released into the streets, and participants try to outrun them to reach the safety of a bullring. It is a thrilling but risky spectacle that lasts a few minutes.
|
|
FUN FACT:
Years ago, I created a 7-foot-long wedding cake (photo on the right) inspired by the Antoni Gaudi Mosaic Bench in Barcelona's Park Güell. This park features the renowned mosaic snake bench, officially recognized as the world's longest bench. Gaudi, a prominent figure of Art Nouveau and Catalan Modernism, left a lasting impact on architecture. His intricate structures, including the iconic Basílica de la Sagrada Família, have made Barcelona a popular European tourist destination for decades.
For me this is where my love for mosaic met with my love of baking. Did you know I was mosaic artist for 17 years? I might share about that one day.
Today we are making Empanadas.
Here are some fun facts:
Here are some fun facts:
Years ago, I created a 7-foot-long wedding cake (photo on the right) inspired by the Antoni Gaudi Mosaic Bench in Barcelona's Park Güell. This park features the renowned mosaic snake bench, officially recognized as the world's longest bench. Gaudi, a prominent figure of Art Nouveau and Catalan Modernism, left a lasting impact on architecture. His intricate structures, including the iconic Basílica de la Sagrada Família, have made Barcelona a popular European tourist destination for decades.
For me this is where my love for mosaic met with my love of baking. Did you know I was mosaic artist for 17 years? I might share about that one day.
Today we are making Empanadas.
Here are some fun facts:
- The word empanada is derived from the Spanish verb empanar, which means to wrap or coat in bread.
- The world celebrates national empanada day on April 8th.
- Empanada was once known as the working man's meal because it contained a full meal that was easy to carry to work.
- Empanadas are made in many different countries: For example, meat pies are known as beef patties in Jamaica, samosas in India, and pastelillos or pastelitos in Latin America and Spain. The beauty of this dish lies in the fact that there is no right or wrong way to prepare it.
Here are some fun facts:
- Gazpacho should be drunk slightly chilled, but not iced.
- December 6th is National Gazpacho Day. Which honestly is kind of strange since it is a summer soup and served cold!
- Rumor has it that, before leaving on his first voyage, Christopher Columbus loaded his ships up with barrels of this old mixture.
- Gazpacho was featured in TV series like Simpsons and Golden Girls.
🇪🇸RECIPES🇪🇸
|
Ingredients:
|
|
Instructions:
- Mix flour, salt, butter, egg, and milk in a food processor until clumpy dough forms. Alternatively, use your hands to mix the ingredients.
- Split the dough into 2 balls, and flatten them into disks., cover in plastic wrap. Use immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 days.
- Roll out the dough and cut round discs, approx. 5" in diameter.
- Spoon filling onto half of each disc, brush the edges with egg wash, and fold the other half over, then seal the edges by pressing or using a fork.
- Brush with egg wash for a golden finish.
- Bake at 375F-400F for 18-25 minutes until golden brown.
|
Ingredients:
|
|
Instructions:
|