Written by Tom Hooker

Medieval castles, picturesque beaches, and a relaxed atmosphere—Spain is one of Europe’s most popular destinations—and for good reasons! However, the single, most impressive thing about Spain just might be its delicious cuisine, which speaks volumes of the country’s gastronomic traditions. Simply put, Spain has some of the continent’s most delightful food; but with so many options to choose from, picking the right delicacy for you is not always easy. So, here are…

The Best Dishes to Try in Barcelona

To help you find the right fit, we’ve put together a short list of must-try dishes in Barcelona.

#1. Fricando

Fricando is a tasty dish that consists of thinly cut veal slices cooked in a rich, seasonal sauce that typically includes mushrooms.

#2. Assorted Tapas

From botifarra to escalivada and patatas bravas, make sure to make time for a tapas night in Barcelona. Want to eat the best of the best? Head over to Carrer de Blai, a street full of tapas restaurants on the west end of town, far from the hustle and bustle of downtown.

#3. Paella and Similar Dishes

Last, but certainly not least, we have paella and all of its variants. Traditional paellas consist of chicken and rabbit, but it’s also possible to order seafood and mixed dishes. Alternatively, you have a more regional variant like a fideua or arroz negre, which is a type of paella seasoned with squid ink! To bring a little spice of Spanish cuisine to your personal kitchen, we’ve added an authentic paella recipe.

Una autentica paella

Although originally from the Valencia region, the paella dish has become a staple that’s cooked, served, and enjoyed in every corner of the country. Follow this easy step-by-step guide to an authentic, traditional paella:

Ingredients

—25g extra virgin olive oil (5 tsp)

—Salt 

—250g Valencia or paella rice (1.5 cup)

—750g chicken joints (1.65 lbs)

—180g green beans (a little over 1 cup)

—100g white runner beans (⅔ cup)

—200g grated tomato (1 cup)

—3 chicken livers

—½ tsp paprika

—1 tsp saffron strands

—4 small rosemary branches

—Water

—Lemon

—Paella dish, or a similarly flat dish with elevated edges

Instructions

1. Start by cooking the chicken joints with the olive oil in the paella dish. Add the livers before the chicken is cooked completely, then stir fry together. Season lightly with salt.
2. Next, cut off the tips of the green beans and add both the green beans and white runner beans to the chicken. If the beans are dehydrated, you need to soak them overnight before cooking with them. Season the vegetables with a bit of salt.
3. In a corner of the dish, add the saffron and cook it lightly. Then, mix it into the rest of the food. After, add the paprika and stir right away. Once mixed in, add enough water to cover the mix. For a 14-inch (36 cm) paella dish, you should use 1.5 liters (about 6 cups).
4. When the water starts boiling, add two rosemary branches and let the mix cook for 25 minutes at medium-low to low heat (depending on the size of your dish—the bigger the dish, the higher the temperature). Remove the rosemary after 25 minutes and make sure the broth has absorbed its flavor.
5. Once the broth is seasoned to your liking, add the rice and let it cook for 18 to 20 minutes. It should be roughly 5 to 6 minutes on high heat or 13 to 14 minutes on low heat depending on size.
6. Serve and enjoy!