If you love Mediterranean flavors but only know “green or black” olives, you’re in for a treat. Spain grows hundreds of olive varieties, and some of the best examples of different types of Spanish olives and their uses are already sitting on U.S. supermarket shelves—you just need to know what you’re looking at. In this guide, we’ll walk through real examples of Spanish olives, explain how they taste, and show you exactly how to use them in everyday cooking. We’ll explore table olives you can snack on straight from the jar, olives for cooking and stews, and olives that shine in salads, tapas, or martinis. Along the way, you’ll see examples of examples of different types of Spanish olives and their uses in classic dishes like tapas platters, paella, and simple weeknight chicken. Think of this as your friendly map to the Spanish olive aisle, with practical ideas you can cook tonight—not just theory.
Spanish wine isn’t just for sipping next to a plate of tapas. It can also quietly transform your cooking, adding depth, aroma, and that "why is this so good?" factor. In this guide, we’ll walk through real, practical examples of using Spanish wine in cooking: 3 delicious examples you can actually make at home tonight, plus a handful of bonus ideas if you get hooked. We’ll start with a cozy Rioja-braised chicken, move into a bright albariño seafood stew, and finish with a luscious sherry-soaked dessert. Along the way, you’ll see examples of how different Spanish wines behave in the pan, how to choose the right bottle, and how to avoid common mistakes like using wine that’s too sweet or too oaky. Think of this as a friendly kitchen tour of Spanish wine, with recipes you can pull off even on a weeknight.
If you’ve ever stared at that tiny jar of saffron and thought, “Now what?”, you’re not alone. Spanish cuisine is one of the best examples of how a small pinch of spice can transform a dish from good to unforgettable. In this guide, we’ll walk through real, everyday examples of saffron in Spanish cooking: 3 practical examples you can actually cook at home, plus a few bonus ideas if you fall in love with the flavor. We’ll start with the classics—like paella and saffron-infused broths—then move into more modern twists that Spanish home cooks and chefs are playing with in 2024 and 2025. Along the way, you’ll see how to buy saffron without getting scammed, how much to use (hint: less than you think), and how to make that golden color and floral aroma work for you instead of overpowering everything on the plate. Think of this as your friendly, step-by-step introduction to cooking confidently with saffron, Spanish-style.
If you’re hunting for real-world, weeknight-friendly examples of cooking with Spanish chorizo: 3 recipes stand out as absolute workhorses in my kitchen. Spanish chorizo is smoky, garlicky, and already cured, which means it’s basically flavor in sausage form. Slice it, warm it, and you’ve instantly made everything around it taste better. In this guide, we’ll walk through three of the best examples of cooking with Spanish chorizo that show off its range: a one-pan rice dish, a cozy stew, and a brunch-friendly hash. Along the way, I’ll share more examples of how to use leftover chorizo in pastas, tapas, and even quick snacks, so you don’t end up with half a link dying in the back of the fridge. Think of this as your practical, 2024-friendly playbook: simple methods, supermarket ingredients, and big flavor. By the end, you’ll have several real examples of chorizo dishes you can confidently cook without hovering over a recipe app.