Spanish Meals

7 September 2021 Roja Pinchos

Paella

Most people have heard of paella, although they may not have tried it. It is a colourful, tasty dish filled with a variety of vegetables and meats mixed with bright yellow rice. There are several different versions of this dish, but the Valencia version is a must if you can find it on a restaurant menu.

This is the area of Spain that developed paella, and you may find it made with either chicken, rabbit, or seafood. This is a slow-cooked dish, but the flavours develop well.

Gazpacho

This dish is a tomato-based soup, served cold, and this description will often put people off, but it is definitely worth a try. Most restaurants will make it by using fresh ingredients, and it may include cucumber, peppers, garlic, olive oil and bread. Using only fresh ingredients will ensure that the flavours will mix properly.

Jamon

Spanish ham is famous all over the world, and Jamon is served in very thin-cut slices with bread. It is often served as an appetiser, and occasionally it will be served alone. It is popular as tapas, and for most Spanish people, it is a major part of their daily diet. Some versions of this are quite expensive, depending upon the type of pig it is made from.

Patatas Bravas

The name of this dish translates as ‘brave potatoes’, and it is served as tapas. The potatoes are cut small, dried, and served with a very hot, spicy red sauce – hence the ‘brave’ in the name – although, in some restaurants, you may get a garlic-flavoured creamy sauce instead.

Relaxing After a Delicious Spanish Meal

There is undoubtedly nothing better than enjoying a traditional Spanish meal with friends or family when in Liverpool. After all the pinchos, tapas, and sangria, you will want to head home to relax and reflect on a lovely evening. The growth of online casinos has meant that lots of people are staying in rather than going out to a brick-and-mortar casino. There are several reasons for this, and while we still consider a night out at a casino to be a great time, there are plenty of reasons why you can still have a good time using an online casino like Casino Legends. Even if you have already ventured out to enjoy a meal at one of Liverpool’s top Spanish restaurants, just head home and take advantage of everything that the online casinos offer. Benefits of an online casino The main reason is that you can do this in your own home – no need to dress up. Even if you’ve already been out and about, there is no reason why you shouldn’t prefer an online casino to other options. Spanish restaurants in Liverpool make a great night out on their own, so why not just head home afterwards to play a few online games? After a sangria or two with a traditional Spanish dish, you might decide not to go anywhere else. Online casinos will also offer you promotional deals, so in theory, you could find that you are playing with their money rather than your own when you first sign up. This means that if you want a night out, you may have more cash to splash at a good restaurant. A Spanish restaurant will be a good way to remind yourself of your favourite family holidays abroad, and you will get to enjoy traditional Spanish fare but very close to home.

Enjoy a night out in Liverpool

The growth in the use of online casinos has not dented the popularity of brick-and-mortar casinos. There are three notable casinos in the city of Liverpool, and players who visit will be able to indulge in all the classic casino games, including poker, roulette, and blackjack. It is a great way to relax after a long day, particularly if you combine it with a delicious meal at a local restaurant first. A night in a casino The good news is that all the casinos in the city have flexible opening hours, so even if you don’t want to head out for the evening, you won’t necessarily miss out. Any players that want to go will need to sign up for a membership of the casino first, and to do that, and you would need to be over the age of 18 and have a valid ID. It is a good idea to make enquiries in advance to find out exactly what you will need to take along with you. While online casinos such as Mr Q are great fun and ideal if you are playing on your own, the standard casinos are perfect for a night out with friends. Start with a meal at your local Spanish restaurant and then go along as a group. With events such as poker tournaments a regular occurrence, it is worth making an effort to go out to a casino. Some of the standard casinos will also have an online presence, so you may be able to use the same casino for a night out another time!

Popular Spanish Drinks

So, you’re heading out to your favourite Liverpool-based Spanish restaurant, and you’re trying to decide what drinks to order at the bar. As well as the standard bar drinks, you might want to consider ordering something traditionally Spanish. Tinto de Verano This is one of the most famous drinks that Spain has to offer. The translation of the name is “red wine of summer”, and it is true that you will see this a lot during the summer months. However, it is not just red wine. It is a combination of red wine and either seltzer water or a lemon and fizzy lime soda. It takes just seconds for the barman to prepare. Sangria This is also a famous Spanish drink that anyone who has ever been on holiday to Spain will know. Sangria is a version of the Tinto de Verano, but generally, there are other ingredients added, such as pineapple, apples, and other fruits. In any good Spanish restaurant, sangria will often be the drink of choice for those who expect an authentic taste of Spain, but the truth is that this is something that was developed for and is more popular with the tourists. Sidra The Spanish version of cider generally originates from the northern part of Spain, specifically from Asturias. It is a very dry cider and has a sharp taste to it. To reduce the acidity in the drink, the barman will usually pour it from around 12 inches above the glass. Cava Plenty of people will have heard of Cava but may not realise that it is a Spanish drink. The similarity to champagne, coupled with the much lower price tag, makes this a popular choice for special occasions. Most Cava produced in the country comes from Catalonia, but it is produced in smaller quantities in other regions. Cerveza Spanish beer is known as Cerveza, and when you order it, you can choose from two sizes – the tubo, which is the larger size and the cana, which is the smaller size. And when people order a beer in a Spanish restaurant, they should expect to be eating tapas – or pinchos – at the same time. Clara For those who want a beer with a refreshing difference, the Clara is a good option. This is simply a beer mixed with lemon, and it is a much lighter choice. It is a common drink on bar menus during the summer and a very popular drink to have at lunchtime. Again, expect to be having tapas at the same time. Horchata Not everyone wants an alcoholic drink, and if this is the case for you, why not give horchata a try? You might see this referred to in Spain as orxata, particularly if you are in the Valencia region. The drink is made using tiger nuts, occasionally blended with cinnamon and is very similar to almond milk.

Spanish Meals

Heading out to a Spanish restaurant in Liverpool means that you will no doubt be trying some delicious Spanish dishes that you may not have considered trying before. The good news is that Spanish food is unique, very tasty, and filling; you will not be disappointed. Paella Most people have heard of paella, although they may not have tried it. It is a colourful, tasty dish filled with a variety of vegetables and meats mixed with bright yellow rice. There are several different versions of this dish, but the Valencia version is a must if you can find it on a restaurant menu. This is the area of Spain that developed paella, and you may find it made with either chicken, rabbit, or seafood. This is a slow-cooked dish, but the flavours develop well. Gazpacho This dish is a tomato-based soup, served cold, and this description will often put people off, but it is definitely worth a try. Most restaurants will make it by using fresh ingredients, and it may include cucumber, peppers, garlic, olive oil and bread. Using only fresh ingredients will ensure that the flavours will mix properly. Jamon Spanish ham is famous all over the world, and Jamon is served in very thin-cut slices with bread. It is often served as an appetiser, and occasionally it will be served alone. It is popular as tapas, and for most Spanish people, it is a major part of their daily diet. Some versions of this are quite expensive, depending upon the type of pig it is made from. Patatas Bravas The name of this dish translates as ‘brave potatoes’, and it is served as tapas. The potatoes are cut small, dried, and served with a very hot, spicy red sauce – hence the ‘brave’ in the name – although, in some restaurants, you may get a garlic-flavoured creamy sauce instead.

Tips for dining at a Spanish restaurant

There are a number of misconceptions about eating in Liverpool based Spanish restaurants, such as the menu being limited to paella and tapas or all the dishes containing large amounts of spices, but the truth is that Spanish restaurants offer a diverse range of dishes and the cuisine is delicious. When you make your reservation at your nearest Spanish restaurant, you can do so knowing that you are sure to have a wonderful evening out. Pick a good table In some restaurants, there may be different seating areas. In the bar, where the food served is mainly tapas, you may not need to reserve a table, but in the more formal restaurant area, you may have to book in advance. Check to see if the menu is limited at the bar area if you prefer to have a more informal table but want to order a dish from the main menu. Read the menu It is a good idea to read the menu carefully to avoid any surprises. In some Spanish restaurants, for example, if you order wine, it may be usual for them to bring you the whole bottle rather than just a glass, but this will be noted on the menu. If you are only going in for drinks, some will serve you tapas free of charge at the same time. In some places, you may be charged for things like bread. Platos One of the best ways to eat in a Spanish restaurant is in a group. Check with your restaurant to see if they offer ‘platos’ or ‘raciones’, which are dishes designed for sharing. This means that you get to try a few different types of food, and it means that you can order a few dishes and then order a few more if there are more things you want to try or if you find you’ve ordered something that only comes in small portions. Do some research It is worth taking a look at the menu in advance, particularly if there is someone dining with you who may have food allergies. With typical Spanish dishes containing seafood and other potential allergens, it is worth looking at the menu to see if there are suitable dishes before you book your table. You should also make sure you speak to the staff about your dietary requirements. The chef may be able to assist in providing an alternative if there is nothing suitable on the menu.

What are Pinchos?

If you love to visit Spanish restaurants in Liverpool and the surrounding areas, then you may have tried Pincho before. This is a traditional Spanish snack that is generally popular in parts of northern Spain, particularly in Cantabria and Navarre, among other regions. Social snacks As pinchos tend to be eaten in bars, they are usually seen as a snack eaten when socialising. They are very similar to tapas, but pinchos tend to be attached to a piece of bread with the help of a skewer or toothpick. However, in some restaurants, they may be referred to as tapas, and the two are very similar. So, what sort of ingredients would you expect to find in pinchos? The fact is, almost anything can be used. In Basque Country, fish is a popular ingredient, so you may find hake, anchovy, or cod. This will be alongside stuffed peppers, croquettes, or tortilla de patatas. Some types of pinchos are quite elaborate, so in more upper market establishments, you may find that they are quite expensive. You might also hear them referred to as pinchos morunos, which is slightly different. These are pieces of meat that have been marinated in oil, infused with spices such as paprika and then roasted.

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