Spanish natives are fiercely proud of their heritage, language, and their food and drink. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the Basque country, an area in the north of Spain, bordering the Atlantic Ocean and France.
A major city within the region is San Sebastián, known for its rich mix of traditions which are deep-rooted in food and cooking. From its obsession with the perfect 'pintxos' (small tapas snacks), to holding the most Michelin stars per head than anywhere else in the world, there's plenty here for food-lovers.
In Basque, José Pizarro shows readers how to create some of the best-loved dishes from this area at home, including traditional Basque dishes such as bacalao (salt cod with pisto and allioli), hake "a la plancha" with oven potatoes and Romesco sauce, and wild mushrooms with scrambled eggs. He dispels the myth that creating tapas and traditional Spanish fare is a laborious task, and shows you how to bring the great experience of dining in the little bars of San Sebastián to your own kitchen. Enjoy the renowned tapas dishes, such as croquetas (stuffed fried potato croquettes), tortilla de patatas (Spanish omelette) and Jamón Ibérico (cured ham), along with fried scampi with mayonnaise, razor clams with seaweed, boiled egg with crab and mint. The food of this region is wonderful to share with your family and friends - but it's also about fun, informality, and not being a slave to your stove!
Set against the backdrop of the stunning views of San Sebastián and the rest of the Basque country, this book will whisk you to the heart of Spanish culture. José also shares menu suggestions to help you plan, shop, cook, and, most importantly, enjoy this wonderful way of eating and socializing.