Online Class: Spanish Cooking 101

This course takes you through the wide spectrum of Spanish cuisine, sampling the delights of the Mediterranean and bringing some of the Spanish atmosphere to your dinner table.

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  • 12
    Lessons
  • 6
    Exams &
    Assignments
  • 1,517
    Students
    have taken this course
  • 3
    Hours
    average time
  • 0.3
    CEUs
 
 

Course Description

Unlock the Delights of Authentic Spanish Cuisine

Spanish cuisine is more than just food; it is a symphony of flavors, textures, and aromas that brings to life the vibrant spirit of Spain. With its warm sun, rich soils, and coastal abundance, Spain offers a culinary experience that mirrors its lively culture — combining leisurely enjoyment with passion and flair.

Course Overview:

This comprehensive course, comprised of 12 enriching lessons, offers an immersive journey into the heart of Spanish cooking. Designed to suit both the enthusiastic beginner and the seasoned chef, each lesson dives deep into traditional recipes, complemented with vivid imagery guiding you through each step.

A Glimpse into the Spanish Culinary World:

Starting with an engaging overview of the Spanish culinary landscape, we’ll explore the historical and geographical influences that have shaped Spain's palate. The story of Spanish cuisine is intertwined with its history, from the Moors' influence in the south to the fresh seafood traditions of the northern coasts.

From the comforts of your kitchen, you’ll delve into the world of tapas, those delightful little dishes that Spaniards have perfected. Imagine the richness of olives marinated in zesty spices, the hearty goodness of a classic tortilla Española, or the spicy allure of gambas al ajillo.

And it's not just about tapas! Our lessons branch out into the broad spectrum of Spanish main courses. Discover the magic of dishes like pollo al ajillo (garlic chicken) or a hearty beef stew infused with the smoky flavor of Spanish paprika. Dive deep into the refreshing world of Spanish salads that burst with colors and fresh flavors. And, of course, no Spanish culinary journey would be complete without indulging in the treasures of the sea. Learn to master dishes like paella de marisco or the simple yet flavorful gambas a la plancha.

Culminating with Spanish Wines:

What better way to round off this culinary journey than with a dive into the world of Spanish wines? Spain, one of the world's premier wine producers, offers a variety that ranges from the sparkling Cava to the robust Rioja. Our concluding lesson will guide you on pairing the perfect wine with your meal, ensuring a dining experience that's nothing short of perfection.

Why Enroll in this Course?

Whether you've relished tapas on a balmy evening in Seville or are just beginning to discover Spanish flavors, this course offers a unique experience. Each lesson is carefully crafted to ensure you grasp the essence of the dish, from its origins to its presentation.

We understand that the best dishes aren't just about following recipes but about immersing oneself in the process. As you navigate through these lessons, we encourage you to embrace the Spanish approach — find joy in the process, be intuitive, and, most importantly, savor every bite.

By the end of this course, not only will you have a repertoire of authentic Spanish dishes at your fingertips, but you’ll also carry with you a piece of Spain’s soul. The joy of sharing a meal you've prepared is unparalleled, and with the skills you gain here, every dinner can become a fiesta!

Course Breakdown:

  • Lesson 1: Spanish Cuisine - An Introduction
  • Lesson 2: Dips: More than just sauces; they're an experience.
  • Lesson 3: Olive Dishes: The heart of Mediterranean flavors.
  • Lesson 4-6: Tapas: A trilogy exploring Spain's favorite culinary tradition.
  • Lesson 7: Main Meals - Chicken: Poultry like you've never tasted before.
  • Lesson 8: Beef Dishes: Rich, robust, and raring to delight.
  • Lesson 9: Salads: A celebration of freshness.
  • Lesson 10-11: Seafood: Two lessons dedicated to Spain's maritime treasures.
  • Lesson 12: Spanish Wine: The crowning jewel of Spanish gastronomy.

Join us on this unforgettable culinary adventure, and bring the zest and zeal of Spanish cooking right into your home!

Course Motivation

The Spanish are passionate about their food!

 

The focus is very much on all things fresh, abundant, and full of flavor, without being over-complicated or fussy -- so relax and try to enjoy the experience of cooking, as much as the experience of eating, what you produce!
 
 
 
Historical and Geographical Influences
 

Divided by mountains that once made travel difficult, each region has developed its own culinary traditions using what can be grown and produced locally. Throughout Spain, we see the legacies left by invading countries, and culinary discoveries made by Spanish explorers throughout history.

Many people think of olive oil and good wine as being quintessentially Spanish, but these were originally brought to Spain by an invading Roman army in 218 BC.

 

Mediterranean influences are apparent in the use of olive oil and garlic, and the ever-present bread basket on the table. This explains why Spanish food has long been considered a healthy option, in spite of the fact that Spanish food tends to be served in large portions, and that Spanish people have such a love for their food and wine. It is widely known now that the Mediterranean diet is healthy because the main source of oil is olives, which is mono-unsaturated, and therefore does not raise cholesterol in the way other fats do. Also, the large proportion of fish consumed ensures that high levels of omega-3 oils are present in the diet, and this is believed to ward off heart disease. Red meat, with its "bad" fats, is consumed in modest amounts, and the ready availability of delicious fresh fruit, straight from the tree, and vegetables, straight from the ground, makes having a healthy diet effortless and enjoyable.

 

Another invasion by the Moors in 711 AD introduced Spain to many new flavors in the form of spices, such as cumin and saffron, and many new exotic fruits and vegetables, which gradually became naturalized.

 

And, of course, the 15th century discovery of the New World completely revolutionized the cuisine of Spain, as it did for many other countries, when explorers brought back strange new foods, like potatoes, tomatoes, avocados, peppers, and the makings of today's popular chocolate -- cacao.

As with the rest of Europe, all these outside influences had some bearing on the food that we today consider as native. This is all part of what makes learning about a country's cuisine so fascinating.
 
 
Popular Foods

Traveling around Spain, it becomes clear that regionally, cuisine differs a lot; but there are elements that re-appear often. Being surrounded on three sides by water, of course, seafood plays a major role in Spanish cuisine. Octopus, sardines, fish, crab, and squid are all common sights in a Spanish marketplace.

Move further inland, and every local marketplace will have a different variety of chorion (chorizo), a spicy sausage made from pork and paprika. Traditionally, every family would make their own chorion and hang it up to use over the winter months, demonstrating again the very Spanish trait of producing as much of your own foods as possible, and the inventiveness that saw the creation of foods like chorion to ensure year-round availability of sufficient food. Most of today's well known Spanish meals have developed and evolved over time. For example, seafood paella, which is one of the best-known and most-loved of all Spanish dishes, originated from the Spanish peasants using whatever ingredients they had to hand, such as rice, snails, and vegetables to make a satisfying dish. Now paella contains all sorts of seafood and is no longer just a peasant dish, and is just as popular as ever. Other "one pot" dishes, such as meat stews and casseroles, are also popular. The long, slow-cooking methods for these dishes somehow reflect the Spanish way of life -- slow and easy going.

 

Worldwide, Spain is a top producer of nuts -- and walnuts, hazelnuts, and almonds are a common ingredient in Spanish cuisine. At Christmas, turron, a nougat-type candy made from almonds is very popular.

Dairy products are abundant, so cheese made from cows', sheep's, and goats' milk is a big part of the national culinary tradition, used in tapas, as part of a main meal, or as dessert.

 

Eggs are another very widely used food, eaten daily in one form or another.

 

Of course, as in most hot, fertile countries, fruit and vegetables are a national favorite, served sautéed, in salads, or straight from the fruit bowl. Very often, these are home grown, and traditionally Spanish cooks will adapt recipes to use whatever they have grown themselves, so the same dish may vary according to what the vegetable garden has to offer.

 

Beans and chickpeas are a national staple food and common to all regions.

 

Spain is the world's largest producer of air-dried cured ham. Serrano ham is known and loved all over the world, not least in Spain, itself, where more of it is eaten than any other country.
 
 
A Typical Day

The climate of Spain lends itself to several small meals per day, rather than the three main meals favored in cooler countries. This, again, reflects the Mediterranean way of life. Breakfast tends to be a simple affair, with sweet pastry, like churros, and milky coffee, or hot chocolate for the children. But this is only to provide energy until around noon, when tradition demands that it is time for tapas (small dishes). This is the time when friends gather to share drinks, and tapas. Much more of a social event, than a simple stopgap snack to tide you over until the afternoon lunch, it involves a leisurely stroll around the

  local wine bars, stopping each time for a drink and a snack. Such snacks include tortilla espanola (Spanish omelet), squid, olives and cheese, or chorizo, with bread and oil. Tapas embody the Spanish attitude to food and life: Take your time, relax, enjoy, and wash it all down with a few glasses of wine!

Tapas time is a preamble to the main meal of the day, called la comida. Eaten between 1.30 and 3.30 p.m., this is a multiple course meal, eaten at leisure with friends and family in the hottest part of the day.Traditionally, the whole of Spain stops for a few hours to allow for this meal and the siesta time that follows. Spanish people keep late hours, so a rest in the middle of the day is something of a necessity, especially after such a large meal. Other countries could learn a lot from the Spanish, sitting down to relax and share food, company, and, of course, more wine with family and friends, instead of rushing back to work after a hurried and maybe solitary sandwich grabbed from a machine or a deli counter.

 

By 5.30 p.m., the typical Spaniard is ready for another snack, this time known as la merienda, which may consist of bread with either chocolate, or ham, chorizo, salami, etc.

 

Dinner will not be served for a few hours, usually any time between 9 and midnight. Smaller than lunch, it is nonetheless a substantial meal, typically fresh fish or chicken, rice, salad and vegetables -- and for dessert, fresh fruit or a light dairy-based dish such as flan.

 

After dinner, socializing continues for a few more hours in the cafés and taverns, until on the way home, a final snack of churros, bought freshly baked from a street vendor and accompanied by hot chocolate, brings the day to a relaxed end.

 

In this course, we will be taking a journey through Spanish cuisine. Enjoy the cookery and, most importantly, enjoy the food you prepare and try to embrace something of the Spanish attitude to life - relax, eat when you drink, drink when you eat, and don't take it too seriously!

  • Completely Online
  • Self-Paced
  • Printable Lessons
  • Full HD Video  
  • 6 Months to Complete
  • 24/7 Availability
  • Start Anytime
  • PC & Mac Compatible
  • Android & iOS Friendly
  • Accredited CEUs
Universal Class is an IACET Accredited Provider
 

Course Lessons

Average Lesson Rating:
4.6 / 5 Stars (Average Rating)
"Extraordinarily Helpful"
(910 votes)

Lesson 1: Spanish Cuisine - An Introduction

The historical, geographic, and cultural influences on Spanish cuisine will be explored in this first lesson. Additional lesson topics: Conversion Chart 1 Total Points
  • Lesson 1 Video
  • Lesson discussions: Reasons for Taking this Course
  • Complete Assignment: An Introduction

Lesson 2: Dips

Learn how to make some Spanish dips with broad beans, fresh tomatoes, and roasted garlic. 1 Total Points
  • Lesson 2 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 2 Assignment: Make a Spanish Dip

Lesson 3: Olive Dishes

This lesson looks at various marinaded olive dishes, perfect as tapas or to accompany a salad or main meal. 1 Total Points
  • Lesson 3 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 3 Assignment: Make an Olive Dish

Lesson 4: Tapas

This lesson looks at some popular tapas recipes that you can make anytime, either as an accompaniment to a refreshing afternoon drink, or combined to make a meal. 2 Total Points
  • Lesson 4 Video
  • Complete: Lesson 4 Assignment

Lesson 5: Tapas II

Continue to expand your tapas dishes with delicious onion, Spanish tortilla, and gazpacho recipes. 0 Total Points
  • Lesson 5 Video

Lesson 6: Tapas III

Roasted almonds are a perfect tapas to serve with a refreshing glass of wine at lunchtime or in the evening, and this recipe will surprise your guests with its strong, uncompromising blend of flavors. 0 Total Points
  • Lesson 6 Video

Lesson 7: Main Meals - Chicken

This lesson takes on some bigger recipes for main meals. Chicken is arguably the most versatile meat and is used very widely in Spanish cuisine. 0 Total Points
  • Lesson 7 Video

Lesson 8: Beef Dishes

Beef is very popular in modern Spain and many traditional recipes have been altered and adapted to include this red meat, which was once too expensive for many Spanish people. 0 Total Points
  • Lesson 8 Video

Lesson 9: Salads

Salads are incredibly popular in Spain. The climate, combined with the fact that many people grow their own salad vegetables, all point to fresh salads served on hot summer days. 0 Total Points
  • Lesson 9 Video

Lesson 10: Seafood

The Spanish love seafood. Being surrounded on three sides by the sea, it is only natural that, traditionally, the Spaniards have turned to the sea for a rich source of food. 0 Total Points
  • Lesson 10 Video

Lesson 11: Seafood II

When people think of Spanish cuisine, it is often paella that springs to mind. Paella originated in the Valencia region. 2 Total Points
  • Lesson 11 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson 11 Exam

Lesson 12: Spanish Wine

The Spanish people love their wine, and no Spanish meal is without it. Spain is in the top 10 of wine consumers throughout the world, and among the top three producers. 5 Total Points
  • Lesson 12 Video
  • Lesson discussions: Your Opinion Matters: Course Rating; Program Evaluation Follow-up Survey (End of Course); Course Comments
  • Assessment: Lesson 12 Exam
12
Total Course Points
 

Learning Outcomes

By successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  • Describe the elements and styles of Spanish cuisine.
  • Demonstrate making Spanish dips.
  • Demonstrate making Spanish olive dishes.
  • Demonstrate making Spanish tapas.
  • Demonstrate making chicken dishes.
  • Demonstrate making beef dishes.
  • Demonstrate making salads.
  • Demonstrate making Spanish seafood dishes.
  • Summarize types of Spanish wines.
  • Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
 

Additional Course Information

Online CEU Certificate
  • Document Your Lifelong Learning Achievements
  • Earn an Official Certificate Documenting Course Hours and CEUs
  • Verify Your Certificate with a Unique Serial Number Online
  • View and Share Your Certificate Online or Download/Print as PDF
  • Display Your Certificate on Your Resume and Promote Your Achievements Using Social Media
Document Your CEUs on Your Resume
 
Course Title: Spanish Cooking 101
Course Number: 7550277
Lessons Rating: 4.6 / 5 Stars (910 votes)
Languages: English - United States, Canada and other English speaking countries
Availability: This course is online and available in all 50 states including: California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Texas.
Last Updated: July 2023
Course Type: Self-Paced, Online Class
CEU Value: 0.3 IACET CEUs (Continuing Education Units)
CE Accreditation: Universal Class, Inc. has been accredited as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET).
Grading Policy: Earn a final grade of 70% or higher to receive an online/downloadable CEU Certification documenting CEUs earned.
Assessment Method: Lesson assignments and review exams
Instructor: UniversalClass Instructional Team
Syllabus: View Syllabus
Course Fee: $120.00 U.S. dollars

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Student Testimonials

  • "This course was perfect and very helpful. The instructor/teacher was beyond amazing, explaining step by step each dish and their history. I am extremely happy to have taken this course and I can not wait to make all the delicious dishes from this course." -- Ana C.
  • "I loved learning and trying new techniques to cook food as well as learning new foods to cook for my family." -- Anna D.
  • "She made it easy to understand and made me want to try new things." -- Susan M.