Spain: The Cookbook

Phaidon Global Cookbooks

by Simone Ortega, Inés Ortega, JMC82 (Illustrator)

The bestselling book on traditional and authentic Spanish home cooking

Spanish cooks have trusted and relied upon this bible of traditional home cooking ever since it was first published over 40 years ago. True to its original title (1080 recetas de cocina) it contains a comprehensive collection of 1080 authentic Spanish recipes, covering everything from tortilla to bacalao.

As well as its simple, easy-to-follow recipes, there are also menu plans, cooking tips, and a glossary and the book is fully illustrated throughout with specially commissioned photographs and over 500 illustrations by the famous Spanish graphic designer and illustrator, Javier Mariscal. This bestselling classic is a friendly and approachable book for all home cooks and covers every Spanish dish you could wish to make.

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

976 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1972

About the author

Simone Ortega Klein (29 May 1919 – 2 July 2008), better known simply as Simone Ortega, was a bestselling Spanish culinary author. Born in Barcelona to a family originally from Alsace in France, she published her first and bestselling book 1080 recetas de cocina (republished in English as 1080 Recipes) in 1972. She was married to publisher José Ortega Spottorno, son of famous philosopher José Ortega y Gasset and founder of the Spanish daily newspaper El País, until his death in 2002.

Her bestselling book, 1080 recetas de cocina (1080 Recipes) has sold over 3,5 million copies in Spain since it was first published, and as of 2007 it was on its 48th updated edition there. In 1987 she was awarded the Spanish Special Prize of Gastronomy, following this up in 2006 with the Spain Food Awards Special Prize. In awarding the latter prize, the jury spoke of an entire lifetime dedicated to advising and teaching consumers about good cooking and good cuisine, with special emphasis on the quality of national products. 2006 also saw the French government bestow the Order of Arts and Letters on Ortega at a special ceremony in Madrid, at which Ortega commented that ""More than anything else, cuisine is what has brought France and Spain closer together".

Aside from writing cookbooks, Ortega had a regular column in ¡Hola!, and was a frequent guest of various radio programmes. Her most recent books were written in collaboration with her daughter, Inés Ortega, who has followed in the footsteps of her mother to become something of a celebrity chef and cookbook author.

Reviews

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Si tuviera que elegir un único libro de recetas para el resto de mi vida, sería este. Por mi casa, la casa de mi madre y la casa de mi abuela han pasado unas cinco ediciones distintas, todas leídas, consultadas y manchadas de salsa de carne hasta que se les ha partido el lomo.

Tiene recetas para todo lo que se te pueda ocurrir, divididas en categorías que hacen su consulta muy sencilla. Algunas están pasadas de moda, son cocina ilustrada de casa de la abuela, pero son igualmente encantadoras e interesantes.

Con los años y la práctica cada día uso menos recetas, pero aún no hay reunión familiar en la que en mi casa no se diga "mira a ver qué dice el Mil Ochenta" cuando pensamos en qué hacer de comer, lo que tarda un asado, cómo se cocina esto o aquello. Es una herramienta valiosísima.

[Carlos Vazquez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una bendición para los que no sabemos cocinar. No es como el clásico de la marquesa de Parabere, muy bueno, pero un libro donde se da por hecho uno conoce las cantidade y los pesos por persona, ni lo que es rehogar, ni... etc, etc.
En este libro, tiempos y pesos y cantidades son precisos, y garantizo que si la cosa no sale perfecta -que no ale- se aproxima y es comible, y lo dice quien no siente atracción alguna por este género tan explotado en libros y tele como es la cocina. No iré al infierno por glotón.

[Louise Davy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book because of an unintended joke - 1080 is a poison used to kill rabbits in Australia. I fell about laughing in the bookshop and told my wonderful indpendent bookseller that I was buiying it just for the title.
Actually I really enjoy Spanish cooking - I used to own Penelope Casals (sp?) but gave it to the person I had lent it to as a birthday present after he had kept it for years and spilled cuttlefish ink on it.
This book adds to Colman Andrew's Catalan Cuisine and The Cooking of Spain & Portugal by Elizabeth Lambert Ortiz and Classic Spanish Cooking by Elizabeth Luard. I like the simple cooking of fresh ingredients, especially my favourite - eggplant.

[Ragallachmc · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spanish cooking is hot these days, and new Spanish cookbooks seem to be coming out every month. As far as traditional Spanish cooking go, this looks like the one to buy. Reminds me a lot of The Silver Spoon, which is also from Phaidon, in its layout and scope. Although there are some intriguing recipes to be had in here, it interests me more almost in an anthropological way. Seeing what real Spanish people eat gives a good insight into them as a people.

[Wayne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book and has some inspiring ideas and it is wonderful to have something that has been used for several generations in Spanish homes as the go to cookbook, BUT some of the recipes are disasters and I warn you to take much of the procedures with a grain of salt. If you know how to cook well, you can use this to inspire you and give you ideas, but if you don't watch out, the recipes can set you up for major failures and heartache.

[Azem · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is HUGE! Because I don't really eat pork, I was worried that there might not be much interesting for me to eat in here - or that I would have to adapt and improvise. I was wrong. Though pork is still all over the place, there are enough vegeratian, fish and poultry recipes to get on with. The sweets and desserts section is also amazing

[Guida Al·lès · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totes les receptes que he fet d'aquest llibre han estat delicioses. Funcionen. Per la vida diària i per dies especials. Conté menús setmanals i un índex acurat.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this cookbook! This cookbook was my first introduction to tapas and traditional Spanish cooking. I've used this so much the binding is falling apart.

[Roverandom · Rating 5 out of 5]

El gran clásico para aprender cocina española tradicional.

[Noelle N · Rating 4 out of 5]

A behemoth of a cookbook with beautifully incorporated illustrations; nearly every ingredient possible feels like it has a place somewhere in a recipe in here; I think if anything (and this is solely from personal preference) it would of been nice to get a little more insight on the regional/ cultural influences of some of the recipes. Overall though not having these things doesn’t detract from the completeness that this cookbook encapsulates; it feels like an excellent resource!

[Dray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite the completeness of the tome I found it curiously denatured. There is no indication of regional specialties or even “Spainess”. Many parts of the book could be from almost anywhere. The sections on meats had probably the most differentiation.

[Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tiene recetas muy raras pero mal explicadas no están, y el libro ha hecho muchas comidas en mi casa

[Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Literally the bible on Spanish cuisines and tapas. Possibly may never get through all these recipes in my lifetime.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am SO excited about this cookbook. It was the best selling cookbook of Spain for the last 30 years, and this is the first English edition w/ converted measurements. The colorful, loose illustrations are fantastic & makes this double as an art boook. Lots of home-spun Spanish recipes, but also interesting general recipes like "Asaparagus Mousse."

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I seriously doubt I will ever cook either octopus or partridge, there are plenty of other lovely Spanish recipes here to choose from. Leek gratin? yum. The illustrations throughout are gorgeous.

[Bartley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Now I know where to go to cook frittered brains, lamb's pluck, and langoustines with American sauce and rice. The illustrations by Javier Mariscal were wonderful. Really, I just wanted a picture book to look at.

[Catherine Woodman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful cookbook that parallels the Silver Spoon but for Spanish food--I have made several things out of it that have been deilcious, and better yet, it gives a very good sense of what the range of the Iberian Peninsula's cuisine

[Nuria Martí · Rating 4 out of 5]

My grandma had it, my mum has it... so I must have it too. Best cooking book ever, because it explains from easier to harder cooking recipes of all time, even how to cook french fries.
For all kind of cookers, all ages!

[Jon Awerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly comprehensive if you are interested in spanish cuisine and can or have the patience to translate it. Thankfully mi cuñado es de España, and also the man who thankfully showed me this wonderful book.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

i want this!

[Maura · Rating 4 out of 5]

delicioso

[Kristin M-O. · Rating 4 out of 5]

It teases the eyes with its wonderful illustrations, and the palate with its flavours amusing my book to mouth existence.

[Tama · Rating 4 out of 5]

Major large,major cool.....

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

lots of great recipes...i LOVED the chorizo macaroni w/ fresh tomato sauce...it was delicioso!!

[Naki · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this but I cannot say it is all Spanish. I think Mrs Ortega is Catalan or French

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read for any home cook (and it has illustrations in CRAYON!)

[Reese · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is beautiful, inside and out. The recipes are a delight. Even the crepe recipe my son and I screwed up wound up making delicious beignets.

[Sabrina Robinson]

All in Spanish - but I see there's an edition in English now, too.

[Leif Erik]

Pretty. I have no idea yet about the quality though.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic source book to use for reference on almost any ingredient you can think of, and quite a few you've forgotten about.