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L a C o m i d a __Tapas:__ Tapas are snacks or finger food. There are many varieties of tapas. They are served in every café in Spain. The Spanish even invented the word Tapear meaning, to go and eat tapas. Tapas can basically be any food, just a smaller portion.

__Tortilla Española:__ Tortilla Española is a national dish in Spain. It can be served as a tapas, breakfast, sandwich or dinner! It is basically just a Spanish omelet. Tortillla Española has onions, potatoes, eggs, salt, and olive oil. All you need to prepare this dish is a sharp knife and a frying pan! The knife is used to chop vegetables and the pan is used to fry the omelette. It serves four people for dinner, and up to eight for appetizers. Tortilla española can be served hot or cold. When served cold, it is usually placed on a sandwich. When served hot, it can crumble a flake. People sometimes take this with them for picnics or lunch to go on a sandwich.

__Jamón Serrano:__ Jamón Serrano is a very Spanish dish. It is country cured and salted ham. The ham is cured for a year at the least. Jamón Serrano has a deep flavor and a firm texture. It's closest relative is Italian prosciutto. It is is served cold, and is usually as and appetizer (tapas). There aren't really any tools you need to prepare Jamón serrano, because it is basically just cured meat.

__Paella:__ Paella is a rice dish. It originated in the fields of Valencia.You can pretty much use any kind of ingredient in it that goes well with rice. Paella may contain chicken, pork, shellfish, eel, squid, beans, peas, artichokes etc. Saffron is also used in the dish, and it turns the rice a golden color as well. Paella is served as a main dish, and is also served hot. There is a tradition in Valencia which states that men cook paella over an open fire. The guests that will be eating the paella usually eats it straight out of the paellera (the pan used to cook the paella in).

__Flan__: Flan is a baked custard. It is made with eggs, whole milk, evaporated milk, sugar, and vanilla extract. It originally came from France, but is served everywhere in Spain. It is basically a Spanish version of the French cremé caramel. Flan is baked in a special cooking utensil called a flan ring.

__Gazpacho__: Gazpacho is pretty much a liquid salad or a cold vegetable soup. It originated in southern Spain (Andalusia). It consists of ripe tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, garlic and bread. It is always served cold. The bread and vegetable mix is pounded to a paste. Gazpacho is served as and appetizer (tapas). It is usually served in the summer months because of its cold temperature.

__Chorizo__: Chorizo is a pork sausage. It is served all over Spain. Chorizo is made by chopping or grinding the pork and marinading it in the spices. There are many different variations of it all over the world, but the Spanish chorizo has a unique flavor because the recipe uses Spanish paprika. There are also Mexican and Caribbean chorizo which can't substitute Spanish chorizo in recipes. Chorizo could be eaten sliced or it can be fried. Some people eat chorizo with eggs and cheese, and some people eat chorizo alone.

__Extras__: <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> 1. __Churros__: Churros are basically Spanish doughnuts. They are usually served hot for breakfast, but can also be eaten as a midday snack. Churros are deep-fried until crunchy, and then sprinkled with sugar. The outer surface of a churro is ridged because it is piped/molded from a syringe with a star-shaped nozzle/tip. The shape of a churro is usually a prism, but they can also be straight curled or twisted. They are usually sold from street vendors that fry them on the spot and serve them hot. America has adopted the churro, and you can usually find them at amusement parks or festivals sold by vendors! Columbia has also adopted the churro, but unlike the traditional shape, the churro is thin and shaped like a ring.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">2. __Turron__: Turron is a nougat treat, and is known to be a Christmas treat. It is a rectangle shaped tablet that consists of honey, sugar, egg white, and almonds. They are a traditional Spanish treats or deserts, but long ago they were developed by Arabs living in Valencia. The more almonds the turron has the more someone can sell them for. This usually shows their value.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">3. __Crema Catlana__: Crema catalana is a favorite desert of the Spanish. It is basically creamy custard with a layer of caramelized sugar across the top. This treat is usually served at room temperature, although it can be served slightly cooler or warmer. Crema catalana is very similar to the French creme brulee. The custard can be a variety of different flavors. The most common of these flavors are lemon, orange zest, and cinnamon. Sometimes, this desert is referred to as Creme of St. Joseph. It is called this because it is traditionally served on St. Joseph's Day (March 19). Although nowadays it is eaten all year round.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Food Pictures

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">By: Sarah Pinon and Emily Sun