It is hard to overlook the gastronomical variety of Spain. There are many regional specialties throughout the country, but there are a number of foods that most Spaniards prepare. If you are in Spain, make sure to try these tasty dishes.
       

Paella

Originating in Valencia, paella is a rice dish prepared with seafood. Of all the foods in Spain, this is the most popular. In this dish, savory yellow rice is combined with tomatoes, onions, peas, shellfish, squid, clams and chicken drumsticks. These ingredient are cooked in large saucepan over an open fire with olive oil and salt

 

Gazpacho

Gazpacho originated in the southern region of Andalusia, and it is very popular in the warmer summer months. This cold tomato soup can be served in a bowl or in a glass. Ingredients include tomatoes, onions, garlic, bell peppers, oil and vinegar

 

 

    
   

Spanish Omelet

The Spanish omelet, or tortilla española, is one of the most common dishes in this country. It is very simple to prepare, and most tapas bars and cafés serve variations on the classic recipe. This dish is made from potatoes, eggs and chopped onions and fried in a pan with oil and salt.


                                                

          

Jamon Serrano

Large slabs of cured pork can be found hanging from the ceilings of bars, restaurants and bodegas all over Spain. They are hung from the rafters to dry, giving off a delicious aroma of ham and spices. Traditionally, jamon Serrano is cut and served in thin slices with a baguette or a slice of toast.

                                                                     

     

Turrón

This dessert is most commonly found in the northeastern Catalan region. It is a nougat confection made from sugar, honey and egg whites. Almonds are often chopped and added to the mixture. Spaniards often enjoy this treat around Christmas time.

                                                      
                                                                     

 

FOODS IN INDIA

INDIAN FOOD

Indian food is different from rest of the world not only in taste but also in cooking methods. It reflects a perfect blend of various cultures and ages. Just like Indian culture, food in India has also been influenced by various civilizations, which have contributed their share in its overall development and the present form.
North Indian Food

Food in the north India, to begin with, Kashmiri cuisines reflect strong Central Asian influences. In Kashmir, mostly all the dishes are prepared around the main course of rice found abundantly in the beautiful valley. Another delicious item cooked here is the 'Saag' that is prepared with a green leafy vegetable known as the 'Hak'.

But on the other hand states like the Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh show high consumption of chapatis as staple food. Again, these chapatis are prepared with a variety of flours such as wheat, rice, maida, besan etc. Besides chapatis other closely related breads baked in these regions include Tandoori, Rumaali and Naan etc. However in the northern region impact of Mughlai food is quite obvious.
         Foods of India are better known for its spiciness. Throughout India, be it North India or South India, spices are used generously in food. But one must not forget that every single spice used in Indian dishes carries some or the other nutritional as well as medicinal properties.

        West Indian Food In western India, the desert cuisine is famous for its unique taste and varieties of food. Rajasthan and Gujarat are the states that represent the desseert flavor of Indian food. Here an immense variety of dals and achars (pickles/preserves) is used that simply substitutes the relative lack of fresh vegetables in these areas.

In the states like Maharashtra, the food is usually a mix of both north as well as south cooking styles. Here people use both the rice and the wheat with same interest. Along the coastline of Mumbai a wide variety of fishes is available. Some of the delicious preparations include dishes like the Bombay Prawn and Pomfret.

In Goa, that is further down towards south, one can notice Portuguese influence in the cooking style as well as in the dishes. Some of the major dishes of this regiun are the sweet and sour Vindaloo, duck baffad, sorpotel and egg molie etc.

          East Indian Food
In the eastern India, the Bengali and Assamese styles of cooking are noticeable. The staple food of Bengalis is the yummy combination of rice and fish. Usually the Bengalis love eating varieties of fishes. A special way of preparing the delicacy known as 'Hilsa' is by wrapping it in the pumpkin leaf and then cooking it. Another unusual ingredient that is commonly used in the Bengali cooking is the 'Bamboo Shoot'. Various sweets prepared in this region, by using milk include the 'Roshogollas', 'Sandesh', 'Cham-cham' and many .South Indian Food In the southern India, the states make great use of spices, fishes and coconuts, as most of them have coastal kitchens. In the foods of Tamil Nadu use of tamarind is frequently made in order to impart sourness to the dishes. It simply distinguishes the Tamil Food from other cuisines.

The cooking style of Andhra Pradesh is supposed to make excessive use of chilies, which is obviously to improve the taste of the dishes.

In Kerala, some of the delicious dishes are thelamb stew and appams, Malabar fried prawns, Idlis, Dosas, fish molie and rice puttu. Another famous item of this region is the sweetened coconut milk. Yet another dish is Puttu, which is glutinous rice powder steamed like a pudding in a bamboo shoot.

                         Lets look at pictures of different foods from India.

                  

 

     

WHAT IS THE STRANGEST FOOD COMBINATION THAT YOU ENJOY EATING?

We have all had our little food experiments. You know what I'm talking about- the ones in which you mix two or more foods together to see if they taste good. While some of us do it in the hopes of inventing a new and delicious super-snack that will curb more than one craving at a time, most of us just feel like playing with our food. Successful experiments.  Have left behind a legacy that makes testing the possibilities worthwhile.
Creating a food combination is a lot like building a spaceship. While you may succeed and be able to enjoy the beauty of a new horizon, you may just as easily create a bomb that blows up in your face. So, before you blast off, try some of these tried-and-true food combinations from our food corner.

Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich

Spaghetti Sandwiches

Chocolate+ Onion

CHICKEN BURGERS

Chicken Burger with Mayonnaise

Adapted from Giada De Laurentiis' Chicken Burger with Mayonnaise
Makes 10 patties and 10 burger buns

Ingredients:

For burger buns
250 g bread flour
10 g instant yeast
1 egg
100 g water
30 g sugar
4 g salt
10 g skim milk powder
20 g butter or margarine
For chicken patties
1 kg ground chicken
1 large onion, chopped
200 g mayonnaise, Kewpie brand
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/4 cup olive oil

Directions:

For burger buns
Combine flour, yeast, sugar, salt and egg in a mixer bowl. Start kneading on medium speed for 5 minutes, at the same time slowly dripping water into the bowl.
When the dough has formed a ball, add butter and continue mixing for 10 more minutes. The dough should be smooth and shiny, and slightly tacky but not sticky.
Form into a ball and let rest for 10 minutes, covered with clean kitchen towel or plastic.
At the end of the resting period, the dough will be 1,5 times bigger than before. Lightly press to release air bubble.
Divide dough into 10 portions for normal buns or 20 for mini buns.
Shape into balls and arrange on buttered pans. Leave to proof for 90 -120 minutes, till the dough is 3 times the original size.
Preheat oven to 190 degree celsius. Bake the buns for 15 minutes till nicely browned. When the buns are out from the oven, quickly brush the top with some butter.
Set aside to cool on wire rack.
For chicken patties
Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Mix well.
Shape the mixture into 10 patties, weighing about 150 g each.
Heat some oil in a non-stick pan. Cook the patties till golden brown, 5-8 minutes each side, over medium heat.
Remove from heat and arrange the patty between buns, layered with lettuce and spread some mayonnaise on top of the patties.