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Back from Spain and lamenting that I was unable to stuff Jamon Serrano and Pata Negra in my suitcase. I had no idea what to expect from the kitchens of Spain, especially outside big cosmopolitan centers like Barcelona. I hardly have to mention that the food was amazing in Barcelona. You don’t really need to know anything about Spanish food to find culinary delights there. We were directed to a few gems by our host, Sergi (places which were incidentally also suggested in Lonely Plant. I love Lonely Planet). These included Tapas 24 where we enjoyed rabo de toro, un buger con foi, gambas a la plancha and a bikini with black truffle. We also tried Tantarantara where we had a crazy hash of patatas, more foi and eggs- life was good with that alone but we went further and had duck. Our last night we splurged on a smaller restaurant called O’ Gracia which specialized in more traditional Catalan cuisine like arroz negro and rabbit.

My main staple through the trip remained my late morning café con leche and “Pantomaca,” bread with garlic and tomato rubbed on it and, if it was a hungry day, ham Serrano and cheese (Manchego, a cheese as common to them as Cheddar is to us).

I have returned deeply inspired by Spanish food. I love that it is rustic and simple in many ways but relies on well-crafted ingredients. I wish I had the time and contacts to learn the craft of some of these foods. For now, I will have to rely on books and experimentation in my kitchen.

Note: These great photos from Tapas 24 are by “joone!” on Flickr.