Rick Stein's Spain: 140 new recipes inspired by my journey off the beaten track

by Rick Stein

Rick Stein explores the edible delicacies and delights found in Spain's diverse regions "I've wanted to make a series in Spain for a long time. I love Spanish food, I've been going there since I was a young boy—but until quite recently I don't think people really took the food seriously. Thanks to a handful of really dedicated Spanish chefs and a growing enthusiasm for its rugged flavors, that has all begun to change. To me the underlying point of journeying to Spain would be to discover the 'duende' in the cooking. By that I mean a sense of soul, of authenticity. The word is normally used in flamenco but I think it could be equally applied to the art of Spanish cooking because to my mind, in really good food, there is a communication between the cook and diner that amounts to art."  — Rick Stein In a beautifully designed and illustrated cookbook, Rick Stein has selected more than 140 recipes that capture the authentic taste of Spain today. Spanish cooking has a rich history, with flavors reflecting a broad range of cultural influences. Rick samples his way through the specialties and hidden treats of each region, taking in the changing landscape from the mountainous northern regions through the Spanish plains to the Mediterranean beaches. With more than 100 location and recipe photographs, this is an essential book for food lovers as well as a stunning culinary guide to a diverse country. Includes metric measures.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Food, Nonfiction, Food and Drink

320 pages, Hardcover

First published June 9, 2011

About the author

Christopher Richard "Rick" Stein OBE (born 4 January 1947) is an English chef, restaurateur and television presenter. He is currently the head chef and co-owner of "Rick Stein at Bannisters" at Mollymook, New South Wales, Australia,[1] owns four restaurants in Padstow, a fish and chip shop in Falmouth, Cornwall and has written or presented a number cookery books and television programmes.

Reviews

[Katie Mather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Spain and Spanish food and this has so many delicious sounding recipes in it. I also really enjoyed the introductions to each region covered within this book, he really seems to love the country. León was missed out though and I loved that region! So a little disappointed about that. There could have been more about beer too.

[Gill Farquharson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love this book. As a raving Hispanophile it is right up my street. The recipes are excellent and very easy to follow and the prose about each area of Spain is evocative and picturesque.

I have made several of the recipes so far and they work well.

Can't wait to get back to Spain to buy the correct ingredients and cook more of these delicious recipes.

[Jane Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely book, really enjoyed it. Have tried a lot of the recipes.

[Crazy Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fans of Rick Stein & his take on food will appreciate this cookbook. ‘Spain’ is written as an accompaniment to the BBC series and follows Rick’s travels around the Spanish countryside through the lens of cuisine.

Although it is largely seafood based I see myself substituting chicken, tofu, or even omitting some of the meats in his recipes and keeping the same ‘taste’.

Clams with garlic and nut picada sounds lovely, as does his garlic soup.

For North American/ rural audiences some ingredients might be hard to obtain (fresh octopus, anyone?) but the spice structure is more widely available, and essential technique is easy to replicate.

The index is cross-referenced both by region and main ingredient, so ‘that chickpea stew’ is easy to find (I made a version without salt cod while reading the book & the kids and I ate about a gallon of it;)

Overall, gorgeous photos, easy to follow recipes, and excellent writing that makes you feel like you’re traveling alongside Rick.

I am happy to add this book to my collection.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really interested to read about Spanish food by region as I don't know masses about Spainish food in general, and it was interesting to see variations. My only problem, and this is personal rather than a criticism about the book really, is that Rick Stein is first and foremost a seafood cook, and whilst I do like fish its not my forte, so after a while the prevalence of seafood dishes ceased to be particularly inspiring! Having said that there are some really nice recipes in here, definately worth checking out :)

[Anne Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the photography to the easy to follow recipes- overall a pretty good cookbook

[Liz Chapman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book which I bought just after a visit to Spain . Some very tasty food!

[Maxime · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it However it is not Rick's best cookbook for me personally i thought it a bit boring although the recipes are easy to follow

[rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a fan of Rick Stein's TV series on his travels throughout Spain (and other countries) so I was pleasd to receive this book as a Christmas gift.

The book is beautifully presented and would work well as a coffee table book, a recipe book and, at a much lesser level, a lightweight set of reminiscences about travels in Spain. The photography is professional without being outstanding. The layout is easy to follow, especially on the recipe pages. Overall this is a very professionally produced volume.

It is, I suspect, aimed at markets where Stein's TV series are aired. For example, there are at the end of the book lists of suppliers of speciality Spanish ingredients in the UK, Australia and NZ. That list is quite useful for anyone wanting to stay true to many of his recipes.

The core of the book are the recipes. These are set out clearly. Lists of ingredients seem complete. Instructions are clear. The majority of dishes, though not all, have accompanying photos. I have yet to try any of the recipes but the book has made me keen to try. Fortunately there are a large number that will work well with ingrdients found commonly where I live (Australia) so I will not have to go hunting for the more obscure ingredients.

Overall this is a really nicely put together combination of cookbook and travelogue. Stein's commentary is always interesting and, unlike that of some people who do a similar style of books, understated and never egotistical. Too many similar books shout from the author "it's all about me". Not only does Stein avoid this, he ensures most of his vignettes are about the attractions of many lesser Spanish cities and lots of the interesting local chefs and restauranters he came across in Spain. His style is friendly and very complimenary towards Spain, its people and its cuisine.

[Anwen Garston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant if you enjoy Spanish food.