This past week was birthday and I guess my host family likes me enough to have wanted to celebrate it. My hostmom, her son and his girlfriend took me out to dinner in the La Latina neighborhood of Madrid. Also in attendance was the girlfriend's father, who is visiting from Mexico. He was a very pleasant man and before I opened my mouth he asked me where in South America I was from. This comment along with all the other "You look like -insert random non-american country " comments amuse me greatly. The place we went to was cozy and very chic, with wine bottles all over the walls and really nice dark wood furniture.
When we receive the menus my hostbrother announced that I wouldn't be needing one and that I was in his hands now. I was very excited to have Spaniards picking out my food for me, especially because figuring out what all the ingredients are in a different language is one of the most difficult things while being abroad. Not to mention that I am a coward when it comes to trying new food. He proudly informs me will be having several courses of different types of food. I thought, "This is great, now I will be able to try a bunch of different things!" The following is a course by course description with links and pictures that do not belong to me, mostly from Wikipedia.
The first course was a type of gazpacho with ham, bacon and sliced boiled eggs in it. It is a dish typical of the south of Spain called Salmorejo. It was very good.
The next course was a fried pancake with tiny shrimp it it, called tortillita de camarones. It was absolutely delicious.
Then came out one of the more interesting dishes, pulpo á galega, which is boiled octopus served over boiled potatoes typical of Galicia. With a little prodding from my hostbrother, I tried and really enjoyed it. The following Wednesday I had it again with my intercambio(Spanish-Foreign Language Exchange partner).
The fourth course was an empanda with a Indian twist. My hostfamily proceeded to announce that there was curry in it and that it was spicy. When I tried it, I was a little disappointed to find that it was not spicy at all. Even with the somewhat mild flavor, it was very good.
Aside note, Spanairds do not enjoy spicy food and to get spicy food you really have to go to a Mexican or Asian style restaurant. Even then they definitely hold back the spices.
Next there was a dish that consisted of fried egg, boiled sliced potatoes and various types of mushrooms. I don't really like mushrooms and as a result I didn't really enjoy this dish. Maybe thats why I don't recall what its called nor do I desire to seek out link for a expert's description or the recipe.
The final dish was a sort of stew that came in a very traditional looking metal pot. Since I have arrived here I have really enjoyed the stews my host mother has made me and was eager to try a new one. I soon was enjoying the somewhat odd meat in this stew. It was very tender and had a very interesting flavour, it was somewhat familiar, yet oddly different. I also began to notice that my hostmom and her son's girlfriend were not partaking in this course.
I began to inquire about the type of meat and share with the group that I have never had anything like it. My hostbrother smirks a bit and begins to joke about how people from Madrid are a bit backwards in some regards. Then he informs me that the meat is actually cow stomach. I proceed to suprise myself and do not react in disgust. At this point I am somewhat enjoying the dish and have a little more. Then I began to think about what I am consuming and quickly decide that I am full. Its called callos a la madrilena, here is the recipe for the more adventurous chefs amongst us. Though I think the main ingredient may be a little difficult to obtain in some parts of states. Or maybe I just haven't ever had to seek it out.
In regards to the picture of this unusual dish, I can assure mine looked much more appetizing.
Finally the desert comes out. I forgot what it was called but it was amazing. It was basically a vanilla type pudding that was a bit thicker than normal with hardened caramel on top, I think. We completed the meal with an excellent desert wine. I think that was the first time I have had the privilege of enjoying a meal that consisted of more than two courses. These Spanairds sure know how to eat!
At the end of the meal there was something that reminded me very much of home and my family. The never ending battle of the check. Almost all the techniques I have seen with my father and my uncles use were utilized:
•The "Grab the Check Immediately from the Waiter"
•The "If you Don't let me Pay I am Going to Leave this Money Here"
•The "Cut the Waiter off Before he gets to the Table and Give him your Credit Card, ignoring the Bill Completely"
•The "Attempt to Stuff your Cash into the Pocket of the Person Who Paid"
Overall it was one of the best dinning experiences in my life. Great food, great conversation and good drink.
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