Rick Stein's Spain
Chef Rick Stein has visited Spain since he was a young boy and has fallen in love with the country’s cuisine. Thanks to a handful of dedicated Spanish chefs and a growing enthusiasm for its rugged flavors, the nation’s food has undergone a renaissance. Rick travels the length of the country in his trusty camper van, going off the beaten track to discover the authentic soul of Spanish cooking.
- 2011-2011
- 1 season
- Documentary
Chef Rick Stein has visited Spain since he was a young boy and has fallen in love with the country’s cuisine. Thanks to a handful of dedicated Spanish chefs and a growing enthusiasm for its rugged flavors, the nation’s food has undergone a renaissance. Rick travels the length of the country in his trusty camper van, going off the beaten track to discover the authentic soul of Spanish cooking.
Season 1 Episode Guide
5 Episodes 2011
Episode 1
Galicia
59 mins
Driving a clapped-out old VW camper van around the Galicia region on the Atlantic coast, Rick discovers places off the beaten track as he samples classic dishes of rural Spain, a country he believes has been underrated in cookery circles until quite recently.
Episode 2
Basque
59 mins
One of the great delights of Basque food are 'pinxos'; huge tapas portions. In this two-part episode, Rick learns all about them in a crowded bar in San Sebastian. In Ordizia, he marvels at how the toddlers from local schools all come to the market to see the various wares on display, while the teacher explains what things are. Battling through the rain he arrives at La Rioja, one of the richest regions of the country, stuffed with fabulous vineyards. Then it's on to Navarra and its most famous town, Pamplona - known for its bull running and Ernest Hemingway - and the Catalonian town of Lleida - which is crazy about snails.
Episode 3
Castile
59 mins
Rick Stein heads off to Castile - a region famous not only for its vast plains and castles but also as the home of 11th-century military leader El Cid - before travelling to La Mancha, an area renowned for its rustic dishes and wine production, as well as being the land of Miguel de Cervantes' literary character Don Quixote.
Episode 4
Extremadura & Seville
59 mins
Rick heads for the region of Extremadura, famous for paprika and Iberico ham. He then concludes his exploration of the country by driving south in his camper van to the city of Seville - the capital of tapas and flamenco
Episode 5
Spanish Christmas
58 mins
Rick Stein believes that no-one celebrates Christmas in greater style than the Spanish where the celebrations last for over a fortnight and the dishes they prepare are delicious alternatives to the usual Christmas fare. Rick cooks for a special Christmas party in London to share dishes that inspired him most during his travels around the country and compliment the Spanish love of celebrations. This is a Christmas feast with a difference; clams with Serrano ham and Oloroso sherry, lamb stuffed aubergines with moorish spices, chicken with saffron and pine nuts and orange caramel creams.