I wanted to try a traditional Spanish dish. So I asked the waiter at one of the restaurants to recommend me one. He seemed to be at a loss for what to recommend. The pork dish which he recommended was rather common.

A couple of other dishes which I tried looked and tasted more like a fusion sort of food. I had thought maybe in a town like Benalmadena, one could more easily taste authentic Spanish food.

According to wikipedia - Spanish cuisine is heavily influenced by regional cuisines and the particular historical processes that shaped culture and society in those territories. Geography and climate had great influence on cooking methods and available ingredients, and these particularities are still present in the gastronomy of the various regions that make up the country. Spanish cuisine derives from a complex history, where invasions of the country and conquests of new territories modified traditions and made new ingredients available.

Perhaps that is why the only food that comes to mind when people think of Spanish cuisine is Paella. Paella is a saffron rice dish combined with white fish, shrimps, squids and clams. Rice can be mixed with fish and chicken (Mixed paella) that is slow cooked for many hours until the meat falls apart easily.

I tried it once. I had a bite and I almost sent it back. The rice tasted half cooked to me. But I was assured by company that that is how they prepare it and how Paella is.

On Sunday mornings, a cafe near my apartment prepare Paella in a wok so large you wouldn’t believe it. I guess it must be their Sunday Special.

The other agreed on Spanish dish is Gambas al Ajillo. It is shrimp in garlic sauce. I was assured it was very nice.

This dish of egg-plant served with sweet dark sauce is also supposedly a Spanish dish.

Tapas is another name that comes up when people mentioned Spanish food. A tapas is a snack, or appetizer that is served in the bar or restaurants when you order a drink. Not all bars and restaurants do that though – only those that specified ‘Tapas Bar’ in their signs.

With each order of drink, you will be served a plate of tapas. They will serve you a different snack with each order unless they run out. There is no standard tapas. Each establishment serves their own tapas. This could be a small sandwich or a couple of meatballs or whatever is on the eatery's menu.

The other dish that is popular with diners is Espetos – barbecued sardines. Very popular on the beach front restaurants. I guess barbecued food is a problem in the normal restaurants. That is why you only see them at the beach.

So, these are a few examples of ‘Spanish food’ that I have come across during my visit. If you know of any other traditional Spanish food, do mention them in a comment. Thanks!

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