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Yes, but I think we underestimate the proportion of vegetables to meat they eat. We all know the classic Greek and Turkish dishes based that are served up over here but locally the diet is far more based on interesting things done with veg. That said of course and their stress levels are...

At some point, I'll post an easy flat bread recipe that anyone can make. No rising and the cheapest ingredients. Mediterranean ? No, but very much in spirit especially if you add fresh herbs. It all started when a Kenyan showed me how to make they call a "chapatti" which is very different from...

Forget the cod and embrace the hake. Only the fish cod could have been. The Spanish know. Waitrose frozen fillets amazing. You are looking for British Hake, not the insipid tribute band "cape" hake. Cooked "as is" in a pan, fried skin side down then flipped to gently finish this is not a...

Grate the cucumber with a rough grater and REALLY IMPORTANT squeeze as much water out as you can in your hands. Get as much of the squeezed out cucumber in as you can. You can easily eat a whole cucumber in a single portion. Lemon zest and garlic (fine grater) and I prefer it will chopped...

I got access to a brilliant Rose Harissa in a local market, but the Belazu brand in the one - there is no other in the supermarket. Try and avoid the harissa pesto they do in a similar jar which is horrid. I've been buying it for years all the supermarkets have it. They changed the formulation...

As mentioned above by Watford Zero Basque Chicken Stew is outrageous. Cooked greens olives are a revelation. https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/basque_style_chicken_with_peppers_and_olives/ I personally make that with boned chicken thighs, just watch the heat because it's really easy to...

Off the scale better. Mutti you could drink from the can, no idea how they prepare them without the acidity. I've tried all the brands, Mutti is the dog's bollocks which I'd imagine if canned they would make taste nice.

Easiest recipe ? Half cherry tomatoes (look for ripe ones baby Plum probably the best), salt, pepper, olive oil, garlic - > bake tightly in a small dish, don't overlap the tomatoes. Remember to ensure they are cut side up, nothing worse than a bitter burnt tomato. Skins at the bottom...

Grilled Halloumi + Lime Juice + Capers. Delia sometimes comes up with a modern classic. Not Spanish in the slightest, but should be a modern tapas standard. https://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/collections/delias-summer-collection/fried-halloumi-cheese-with-lime-and-caper-vinaigrette The...

HABAS CON JAMON er.. Broad beans with ham. https://www.greatbritishfoodawards.com/recipes/broad-beans-with-serrano-ham Best made with frozen broad beans but please take the time to shell them first. Just pop 'em. With the shell on, the dish looks unappetising and "grey". Shelled it's a...

Espinacas con Garbanzos Never really liked chick peas or spinach until I tried this. Great website by the way. I like the way cheeky North African influences find their way into Spanish food (particular in the south) with the spices. https://spainonafork.com/spanish-spinach-and-chickpeas/

Off the scale if you like chilled soups. Dump the gazpacho and say hello to it's grown up cousin salmorejo that's never been to Benidorm. https://www.themediterraneandish.com/salmorejo-spanish-chilled-tomato-soup/

The ONLY gadget I can't do without. An electronic food thermometer.

Flour is no-no, ruins it. Tried it on a griddle but works better in a pan. I'm a bit of a saucepan w*******. Not expensive celebrity endorsed cookware by any means, but I have got something made in a foundry in the UK by a craftsman. You know the sort of thing you need to look after like a...

Huge favourite of mine I make all the time, Saltimbocca. Traditionally made with veal, but is so much better with turkey. Don't bother with chicken. Turkey is cheap and very lean and this recipe calls for a lean meat. If you don't like turkey, try this it will change your mind...

Bit left field, but I disliked fennel until I made this https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/braised_fennel_with_81864 You can cut a lot of the butter out and use good olive oil instead. You do need vermouth though, I had a bottle of Cinzano in the cupboard just to make this.

Pan con tomate. er bread with tomatoes.... https://www.simplyrecipes.com/pan-con-tomate-recipe-6260045 Didn't understand how they make it until I saw someone doing it in Spain. They cut large tomatoes in half and skin side away, grate them into a sieve, the excess water falls away. The...

Another personal favourite - Guindilla chillies https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/fragata-hot-peppers-guindillas/034020-17033-17034 And these are NOT hot, irrespective of the what the jar says. A particular type of mild chillies they grow in the Basque country but picked before ripe...

Roast Beetroot and Feta salad. Get the cheap pre-cooked ones that come vacuum packed. Dry off a bit on kitchen roll and cut into well whatever and drizzle with olive olive, salt and pepper. Roast in a hot oven then sprinkle over feta, like cheesy salt. I'd drizzle the beetroot in balsamic...

Another favourite - basically a salad made with roast peppers and tomatoes and served with hard boiled eggs. https://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/vegetable-recipes/jose-pizarro-zorongollo/