Spanish Cooking Vocabulary and the Culture of Spanish Cuisine

Although foods vary from region to region throughout Spain, there is one common characteristic to all good Spanish cooking. Spanish cooks use the best and finest ingredients. In Spain, seafood is a mainstay of Spanish cuisine, Chicken is also important. So too are fruits and vegetables. Spain is also renowned for its olives, oranges and grapes for wine. These are all grown in large quantities. Latin American cuisine is largely meat- or fish-based. Common elements in Latin-American dishes are also corn and chili. Local specialties include steak form Argentina and Peruvian raw-fish, called ceviche.

Spanish food customs differs as we move to various Spanish communities throughout the world. For example, the Spaniards in Spain have breakfast as a small meal. It is their siesta, which is important to them. This is between 2 to 4:00p.m.This is the time when the whole family takes a break from work and school, and eats a large meal of four to six courses.

They start with soup, like a gazpacho for example. then salad. The main course usually consists of potatoes, rice or vegetables with probably some succulent roast pork if you are in Valencia or some squid if you are in the Basque country. This is followed by dessert. A cup of coffee and a glass of liqueur for the adults usually rounds off the meal.

Latin Americans on the other hand have larger breakfasts. Their dishes consist of lots of eggs, pork, steaks and rice and beans. Their meals are usually set out all in one plate, and not in different courses as is done in Spain.

You may already know quite a bit of Spanish, or just a smattering of basic words. Here are some words which you need to memorize and keep handy for use in a Spanish restaurant:

la carta - the menu

el menú del día - the day’s set menu

el agua - water

el agua con gas - sparkling water

el agua sin gas - still water

la carta de vinos - the wine list

la cerveza - beer

el vino - wine

el jugo - fruit juice

el primer plato - appetizer

el plato principal - main course

el postre - dessert

el desayuno - breakfast

el almuerzo - lunch

la cena - dinner

la cuenta - the check ( the bill)

Here is an example of a conversation which you can practice with a friend in preparation for having a neal at a Spanish restaurant.

Waiter: Buenas tardes, señor, señora

Good evening, sir, madam

You: Buenos tardes señor; una mesa para dos personas, por favor

Good evening sir, a table for two, please

Waiter : Tiene una reservación?

Do you have a reservation?

You: Sí, a nombre de Diaz

Yes, in the name of Diaz.

Waiter: Síganme por favor

Follow me, please

You: Quisiera ver la carta, por favor.

I would like to see the menu please.

Waiter: Qué quiere beber? Quiere ver la carta de vinos?

What do you want to drink? Would you like to see the wine list?

You: Sí señor. Gracias

Yes, sir. Thank you.

 You: Quisiera un vaso de vino rojo, por favor

I would like a glass of red wine, please.

Your companion: Yo quisiera una cerveza, por favor

I would like a beer, please.

You: Una sopa de lentejas madrileña

A lentil soup, Madrid style.

Your companion: Una ensalada para mí, entonces una paella y un pisto manchego

A salad for me, then a paella and some stewed vegetables.

You: Quisiera también un arroz con pollo, por favor.Qué tiene de postre?

I would also like some chicken with rice. What do you have for dessert?

The waiter gives you his selection, You choose:

You: Un flan para mí

A caramel custard for me.

Your companion: Para mi, un flan tambien.

A caramel custard for me, too.

At the end of the meal you ask:

You: La cuenta, por favor.

The bill, please.

My wish to you and your dining companion(s) is: Buen provecho! - Enjoy your meal! Before you begin your meal, please extend this wish also.