Chinese Food in Spain?!

Yes... I know, we ate Chinese food in Spain. But the menu was awesome, and I think we both agreed that it was the best restaurant we ate at the whole trip, it was that good. The first thing they served us, in the top picture, was some sort of fried MSG. It really didn't taste like anything but MSG on a flat cheese puff without cheese.

The second course was some sort of vegetable salad, which Brendan ate. Then, the main course was chicken with mushrooms. After dinner, we got flan for dessert (with cream!), and Brendan still had his entire pitcher of Sangria to drink.

Then, after we were stuffed already, they brought us a whole bottle of Chinese wine, which was the best wine I've ever had. It was like mead, very sweet. They served it in little thimble glasses, and we didn't even have to pay for it, it was free with the meal apparently.

Paella!

Perhaps the most traditional Spanish meal that many people have heard of is paella, the conglomeration of saffron rice with a mix of everything from seafood to vegetables and other kinds of meat. We tried it in Barcelona, and Brendan got his blackened with squid ink. It looked unappetizing, but he said it was okay. It had mussels and peas and peppers, and I think a few shrimp too. Mine was Paella Valenciana, which was just chicken and beans and peppers.

Spanish Omlettes

This was our dinner one night in Barcelona, a plate of assorted "Tortillas," which is what the Spanish call their baked omlettes. The one on the right is the most common, a tortilla patata, which has potatoes and onions. The middle is spinach, and the right one is mixed vegetable. The bread on top is rubbed with olive oil and tomatoes, and served chilled. Overall, pretty good.

Back from Spain!

Well, we are back from Spain, and I can say that it was a culinary adventure. Not so much for myself, but Brendan was very adventurous in his dining. The above picture on the top is a Spanish tradition, churros dipped in hot chocolate. People eat it for breakfast, a late night snack, dessert, you name it. It was served pretty much everywhere, and it was definitely one of my favorite dishes there!

The bottom picture is almost the same thing, only it is larger than a churro, and is called a porro. The cup on the right is cafe con leche (coffee with steamed milk). Spanish coffee is pretty much espresso, it is so strong. Even with half milk it was as strong as our coffee, but very delicious along with hot chocolate and fried dough. Mmmm....