One quick flight and we’re in Barcelona.
The city designed by Gaudi, home of the Basilica Sagrada Familia, and capital of Catalonia, after visiting I understand why everyone is in love with the city.
I will start this post with the absolute best food spot in town, the iconic Mercado de La Boqueria. La Boqueria is a large open market located in Las Ramblas, the center of the city. History notes the start of the market in the 1200s, officially recognized in the 1800s, and now the most famous market in the world! It is easy to see why. Besides the rich history- the selection, the atmosphere, and the tastes can not be replicated. Take a look at some of the most colorful and interesting offerings, my favorites. First above, fresh macaroons, chocolates, and unique brownies and bites filled with nuts, caramels, or more chocolate.
Fruits cut fresh daily or covered in the chocolate drizzle on a stick.
Sweet tooth not particularly strong today? Breads- plain or with a savory filling of potatoes, meats, or vegetables available galore.
My kind of meal would be picking up a few snacks from different vendors- something savory, something sweet, something new and interesting to try, and making a meal out of it. I could come here every day and try new things this way. The fruits are fresh and the breads made from scratch. The freshness of the different delights in the market is undeniable. Macaroons and chocolate confections of all kinds remind you of your favorite childhood candy stores filling up candy bags. Except these are a bit more elevated, candy “store” for adults. Fret not, we did have some major meals in Barcelona.
Continuing on the paella journey, after a stroll down the Barceloneta Beach, we stopped by an outdoor gem offering everything from fresh seafood to their take on American classics to, of course, paella. Pictured below, paella con pollo. Why not the traditional seafood? Well, this may have been paella number 7 or so and the ones before were all seafood, and I must say it was my favorite. The similarly flavored rice with more subtle ingredients-mainly chicken, onion, and pepper- this dish is one I can see myself having day after day (especially with the view of that sea):
Should you be interested in seeing it complete with the entire meal:
Pizza the way I like, wood-fired and with fresh ingredients, minus the oil. Colorful salad with in-season veggies, hold off on the unnecessary dressings. And some traditional dishes with the paella and an addition of a Shakshuka Spanish style (egg, tomato, melted cheese) had this trio full and satisfied (we let Alan tag along). You really can’t go wrong when ordering in Barcelona but the simple paella was my preference. This allowed the rich seasoning of the rice and way it’s prepared to really shine which was what I loved most of the dish. Of course, you should take note of the way the locals in the city you are in enjoy paella, and order it that way first. Each region is uniquely different, but Valencia gets to claim to being the original, and therefore is the next Spain trip destination!
For good measure, this morning as I post, I am day-dreaming of starting our day the Spanish way- late morning, fresh coffee, and crisp pastries. I’ll add one more pic for good measure. Disfrutar!
