4 Dishes You Must Try on Your Next Costa Vacation

Spanish cooking is characterised by fresh fish, locally sourced vegetables, garlic, parsley and plenty of extra virgin olive oil! The beauty of Spanish cuisine often lies in its simplicity – but also in the pride the Spaniards take in what they cook, how they cook it and how they eat it.

Spanish cousine

While the traditional two-hour ‘siestas’ has disappeared in many parts of the Costa del Sol, in Andalucí­a it is a crime to rush your mealtimes – so make sure you make plenty of time on your next sunny holiday to sample the local cuisine. Here are four of our favourites Spanish dishes:

Pan con Tomate y Jamón

Served with a ‘cafe con leche’ or a glass of cold fresh orange juice, this is a typical Spanish breakfast on offer at any local bar or cafe on the sunny southern coast. ‘Bread with tomato and ham’ may sound deceptively simple, but in a way it is a finely tuned art: First, ripe tomatoes are deseeded, chopped and mixed with olive oil, salt and sometimes garlic, then lightly pureed with a fork or mixer. Crusty white bread or freshly baked ‘pitufo’ rolls are then perfectly toasted, drizzled with extra olive oil, the tomato puree and then topped with Jamón Serrano. The result is nothing short of heavenly…

Boquerones en vinagre

This delicious and typically Andalucí­an dish is also available in all sorts of tapas bars along the Costa del Sol and often come in full size sharer platters at most good restaurants. Boquerones is Spanish for whitebait, and they are served marinated in pure olive oil, parsley and plenty of chopped garlic. The dish is often served as a starter with a fresh bread roll for dipping! Another great variation is ‘boquerones fritos’, whitebait lightly battered and fried and served with homemade aioli.

Salmorejo

Salmorejo is a thicker version of Gazpacho that originated in the neighbouring region of Cordoba. The recipe is also, you guessed it, deceptively simple – finely pureed tomatoes, garlic, onion, bread, olive oil and a sprinkle of salt, and then served with chopped Serrano ham, a boiled egg and sometimes tuna with a splash of extra virgin olive oil to top it off. As with Gazpacho, the soup is served cold and as a starter or middle plate – a perfect refreshing dish for a warm spring day!

Gambas a la plancha

This classic Spanish tapa recipe consists of whole, unpeeled shrimp that are salted, then cooked quickly on a flat iron grill on a high heat and served up with a lemon wedge. Another simple and irresistible indulgence you must seek out on your next holiday to the Costa del Sol – perfect with a chilled fino sherry or a cold beer on a warm afternoon.

Our resorts are conveniently located between Fuengirola and Marbella, a stones throw or short drive away from a variety of bars, restaurants and chiringuitos and some of the best local eateries on the Costa del Sol. Our Marbesa resorts are also within walking distance of Restaurante Papillon an excellent restaurant located right on the beach that serves a variety of classic Spanish dishes.