Our trip to Southern Spain is getting closer and closer — I can’t tell you how excited we are, as Spain is a new country for both of us. Soon, we will be exploring the cultural traditions, architecture, art, history, music, and — of course — food of Andalucia.
Dining traditions in Spain are very different from anything I have yet to encounter. The day’s main meal at mid-day is familiar to us from rural Italy. The big difference, though, is the hour. In Spain, this meal doesn’t start until 2:00pm. Just thinking about it, I am hungry. The Spanish have that all figured out. It’s basically what I do all the time anyway — snack!
Following breakfast, there is a second breakfast, or snack, to help everyone make it to lunch. In England, it would be called “elevenses.” We in the U.S. just call it “eating between meals.” The Spanish, however, take their snacking very seriously and it continues at intervals all day until dinner which, for them, is basically a big snack that happens late … really late. Like bedtime late (for us). Some people don’t even start their dinner until 10:00 or later! So snacks — or tapas — are the way to make it through the day.
In preparation for our trip, I have been making a lot of tapas, or small plates. I have been concentrating a lot on the fish and seafood, as I hope to see a lot of that on menus when we are there. Today, I am sharing a very easy and flavorful recipe for Gambas al Jerez (Shrimp in Sherry Sauce). It’s a delightful dish to share around the table, and we did with some friends and a bottle of 2018 Las Colinas del Ebro Garnatxa Blanca (Grenache Blanc). Usually I write about Provence wines and, while this is a Spanish wine, Grenache Blanc is a grape often used in Provence wines. I invite you to read more on the Provence WineZine.
~ David
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Chef Mimi
October 1, 2022 at 6:09 amThe schedule was the hardest part of visiting Spain for us. Dinner is served after I’m typically in bed! Plus it was really hard to find coffee before 9 or 10 in the AM. But you’re going to have a fabulous time. And I love this dish!!!
David Scott Allen
October 2, 2022 at 12:50 amI know. We are usually in bed by 9:00! We shall see… maybe if we stay on Arizona time? We will have mornings taken care of in our apartment… But I can’t wait for all the good food!
Donn Poll
October 1, 2022 at 6:38 amHi David and Mark – Eric and I are spending the winter in Seville… Dec 13 – March 24. Will you be there during that time?
David Scott Allen
October 2, 2022 at 12:52 amThat is wonderful, Donn! Unfortunately, we will be long gone by December. But we will amass great recommendations for you!
John / Kitchen Riffs
October 1, 2022 at 7:11 amTerrific looking dish! Shrimp is one of those things that even people who don’t like seafood like. And I like the sherry in the recipe. Really nice flavor pairing. Seafood in Spain is terrific — you’ll have loads of choices. I agree that Spanish eating patterns make a lot of sense (particularly if you take a siesta after the mid-day meal!). Although I simply can’t do dinner as late as they do! Good thing there are always loads of tapas available at most bars — one can “dine” there. 🙂 BTW, thanks so much for your kind words that you left on the final post of our blog. We’ll missing many aspects of blogging, particularly the friendships, and although I definitely plan to be visiting your blog often, I’m afraid my visits will become somewhat sporadic. Alas. Anyway, neat recipe — thanks.
David Scott Allen
October 2, 2022 at 12:54 amWe are all in for the siesta, John! Ever since I retired, I’ve developed an appreciation for napping!! 😉 I’m very excited for the seafood, especially – can’t wait to bring back recipes for C&L. And you are welcome to visit any time John – I will really miss your humor and amazing cocktails!
Vance Morgan
October 1, 2022 at 7:57 amDavid and Mark, several years ago The Morgans and another couple rented a farm house for two weeks in Andalucia and loved Spain. Please, if you have time, go to the ancient town of Ronda.
We will definitely make your Shrimp in Sherry.
Vance and Anne Morgan
David Scott Allen
October 2, 2022 at 12:56 amHi Vance and Anne – thanks for hire recommendation for Ronda. We are considering a day trip there – but will have no car, so it will be by train. I hope you both like the shrimp – we love it!
JOHANNA LOCKHART
October 1, 2022 at 10:17 amIf you visit Ronda, try their famous goat…gambas for Sunday supper. ¡Buen viaje! JL
Cocoa & Lavender
October 2, 2022 at 1:04 amThanks for that recommendation, Johanna – I’ve added it to our list!
Jill Becker
October 1, 2022 at 10:38 amOnce again got to make this. xoxo
Cocoa & Lavender
October 2, 2022 at 1:03 amI hope you have a kitchen soon!
Sippitysup
October 1, 2022 at 12:13 pmSherry is so very Spanish. Have a great trip. My best advice about late dining is to push yourself. Start eating late at home before you go because if you miss the shank of the evening then you miss the point of dining out in the first place. GREG
Cocoa & Lavender
October 2, 2022 at 1:03 amThat is what we are thinking / we will do our best to get “on schedule” and enjoy the ethos!
Sherry M
October 1, 2022 at 6:15 pmI love prawns (shrimp) and serrano ham. Sadly Mr P doesn’t eat seafood:-( This sounds wonderful to me though. That is so weird about dining times. What about the kids I’ve always wondered? We always had to be in bed by about 8pm when young so we were ready for school the next day. Have a fab trip!!
Cocoa & Lavender
October 2, 2022 at 1:02 amSherry – I wish Mr. P liked seafood, especially since you do! But that is what it is, right?
Yes, I think the children do stay up late. I wonder what happens when Spaniards visit the US? They must be ano perplexed by our meal schedule!
Provençal Pairings: Wine with Food Meanwhile, Across the Pyrenees… - Provence WineZine
October 2, 2022 at 6:27 am[…] some unique culinary experiences, truly different from neighboring France. Today, my recipe is Gambas al Jerez — Shrimp in Sherry — a tapa that hails from the southern shores of Spain in Andalucia, where we […]
Kirsten Honeyman
October 2, 2022 at 1:34 pmWhere will you be staying in Granada? We had a fabulous meal in the restaurant of the Parador de Granada, where we were very fortunate to stay. Excellent hotel location right next to the garden. Check it out. Have a fabulous time!!
Cocoa & Lavender
October 5, 2022 at 12:18 amWe have an apartment in the Albaicin – almost across from the Alhambra. Lots of hills ahead! Thanks for the tip on the restaurant in the parador, Kirsten!
Ronit
October 4, 2022 at 10:06 amThis is such a beautiful dish, with all the ingredients balancing each other nicely. Love the velvety sauce!
As for the eating schedule in Spain, it is indeed very different than in the US, but it’s part of the charm.
This made me recall how utterly surprised I was, while working in Vermont, when people showed up to dinner at 5pm! 😀
Cocoa & Lavender
October 5, 2022 at 12:20 amAha! Maybe it is my Vermont lineage that has me eating dinner so early! Glad you like this recipe, Ronit!
Ronit
October 7, 2022 at 10:29 amThat explains it!
Enjoy your trip! 🙂
Cocoa & Lavender
October 9, 2022 at 12:56 amAs we say in Vermont (and Maine)l “Ayuh.”
Ben | Havocinthekitchen
October 4, 2022 at 4:51 pmI have a Spanish cuisine cookbook, but as it often happens, I haven’t tried any recipe from it yet. I think I’ve got to have a trip to Spain – hopefully this will encourage me! Lol. And the dish looks terrific and sounds great. I mean, shrimp and sherry – what can go wrong?
Cocoa & Lavender
October 5, 2022 at 12:22 amOh, my – how many cookbooks do we each have that have never been cracked open? Many, I’m sure. But they are so comforting to me! And you are right, Ben – shrimp and sherry… what can go wrong?
Frank | Memorie di Angelina
October 5, 2022 at 11:45 amLooks fabulous, David. Enjoy your trip to Spain. We’re off to Mexico very soon… !
Cocoa & Lavender
October 6, 2022 at 5:24 am!Buen viaje, Frank! Enjoy your time — where will you be?
Raymund
October 5, 2022 at 5:08 pmI have been to Spain specifically in Barcelona and I loved it, the food, the culture, the sights, the beaches, its one of the best places I visited but like any cities there pickpockets everywhere to keep an eye on them and be careful. Tapas and Jamon certainly is one of the many reasons to go there and preparing them at home just builds the excitement, isnt it.
Cocoa & Lavender
October 6, 2022 at 5:25 amI’m am so excited to taste the Jamón, Raymund! All the food, actually. We will need to get to Barcelona some day…
Ron
October 6, 2022 at 3:35 amDavid, the pouring shot of your dish is outstanding and your Gambas al Jerez sounds lovely.
Although I’ve not spent time in Spain, I know the late dining tradition as I often experience it in South America.
Wishing you guys well in your travels…
Cocoa & Lavender
October 6, 2022 at 5:26 amThanks, Ron — both for your well wishes and your compliments on the photo! Can’t wait to see what foods come our way!
Kelly | Foodtasia
October 6, 2022 at 5:18 pmDavid, I’m getting excited for your trip to Spain as well! All the goodies you will share with us! I had to scroll back up to have a look at the pour shot – it’s gorgeous! My favorite photo is the flat lay. With the light and shadows, it reminds me of still life paintings I’ve seen in museums. Beautiful work!
This dish is very elegant and I love how you made a broth with the shells.
Cocoa & Lavender
October 6, 2022 at 11:45 pmThanks, Kelly — I was taught long ago never to waste a shrimp shell! They make an absolutely wonderful broth.
I’m so glad you like the photos – this was a really fun recipe to shoot!
The-FoodTrotter
October 7, 2022 at 2:40 pmI just can imagine how wonderful it taste! Thank you for sharing such an interesting recipe 🙂
Cocoa & Lavender
October 9, 2022 at 12:57 amMy pleasure, Romain!
Frank | Memorie di Angelina
October 8, 2022 at 5:57 amBelieve it or not, I’ve never been to Spain. (Well, I’ve had layovers at Barrajas, but that doesn’t count.) Now that I’m retired, I plan to remedy that pronto. And I’m especially drawn to Andalucia. I do hope you tell us all about it when you get back. (And as for us, we’re off to Mexico next week!)
Cocoa & Lavender
October 9, 2022 at 12:58 amI can believe it Frank – especially for those of us who are complete italiphiles. Andalucia is remarkable and I am happy to share any information we gathered on the way. Have a great time in México!
John
October 8, 2022 at 7:52 amDavid, this looks divine. I’d snack on this any time of the day. I can really feel your excitement for Spain!
Cocoa & Lavender
October 9, 2022 at 1:04 amIt is such an alluring dish, John — it works visually and then so well on the palate.
Gerlinde
October 8, 2022 at 8:39 amDavid, I hope you are having a great time in Spain. They have such a rich culture. When I go to Europe I always have a little something to snack on when I wake up in the middle of the night.
Cocoa & Lavender
October 9, 2022 at 1:07 amThe good thing about Spain is that I am sure there will be great cheeses to keep in the fridge to snack on!
Jeff the Chef
October 9, 2022 at 8:16 amMy gosh does this sound good. I suppose that if you’re going to be eating so many meals per day, they must be much smaller, lighter meals that what I’m accustomed to. I hope you have a great trip!
Cocoa & Lavender
October 10, 2022 at 11:41 pmThanks, Jeff — we will immerse ourselves in the tapas culture full force but all bets are off regarding the late bedtime!
2pots2cook
October 11, 2022 at 5:15 amTruly love and appreciate your dedication to future adventures!!!! Have fun!
Cocoa & Lavender
October 11, 2022 at 6:54 amWell, I’m not sure which is greater, Davorka, my dedication to travel or to food!
Valentina
October 11, 2022 at 9:43 pmThis dish is absolutely beautiful and the flavors are dreamy! Your top photo should be on the cover of a magazine — or better yet — a cookbook. Stunning. It’s funny, when my Spanish friends visit us here, somehow we end up on their eating schedule — and of course, we often can’t find places that are open as late as they want to eat. I would have your gambas at any hour! 🙂 ~Valentina
Cocoa & Lavender
October 15, 2022 at 2:18 amIt’s so funny, Valentina, that last night – our last night in Spain (Madrid)- and we finally ate on the Spanish schedule. First breakfast, second breakfast, big lunch, merienda, and dinner/large snack. And that was at 9:00pm! At least we got there eventually, right?