We're almost done...but first let's stop off in Spain

Spain is a very fascinating country filled with a very rich culture and delicious food. Spain is the 3rd largest country in Europe and is physically borderded by Portugal and France. The capital of Spain is Madrid, which is also the most populated region in the country. Spains mainland has many plateus and mountain ranges. To learn more about Spain's geography, check out this Wikipedia article.

The eating lifestyle in Spain is very different from America. A typical dining pattern involves a light breakfast at 8 a.m.; a mid-morning breakfast at 11 a.m.; tapas at 1 p.m. with a three-course lunch following at 2 to 3 p.m.; a merienda for tea and pastries or a snack at 5 to 6 p.m.; evening tapas at 8 p.m. or later, and a three-course supper at 10 p.m.(Sally's Place) Their lunch and dinner have smaller portions because of their in-between-meal snacks. However, this does not mean that they reduce the flavor in each dish.

Like many countries in Europe, Spanish food is often prepared family style, in which a lot of food is made and it's all meant to be shared. Many meals include some meat, poultry or fish, but almost all contain either rice or beans (or both!) Spanish food has a little kick to it. Although not all of the food is spicy, a common ingredient is Cumin .

One traditional food associated with Spain is a Tapa. Tapas are found in practically every restaurant in Spain, even if it's a tiny one. Tapas are actually not one type of food...this is a word used to refer to snacks. They are usually included in the price of drinks and can range from finger foods, such as olives, to a more substantial "snack", like a stew. In a way, you could probably think of them as the Spanish Happy-Hour free appetizers. The only difference is these are served all day long, and there is much more selection. For example the number of tapa varieties in a small bar, or tasca as it is called in Spain, can range from 6-8; while the number in a large tasca can be close to 40! For more information about Spanish food and the Spanish culture, visit DonQuijote.